At least 19 other lawsuits have been filed against the airline over the upside-down landing in Toronto (AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines was in the news for all the wrong reasons when one of its regional jets crashed in snowy conditions in Toronto. While the accident thankfully did not result in any fatalities, it came shortly after the American Eagle mid-air collision in Washington, thrusting US regional aviation into the spotlight.
More than five months on from the accident, which saw a Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft overturn after touching down in the Canadian city, an off-duty member of cabin crew on the flight is suing the US airline for millions of dollars in damages. They allege that the carrier endangered the flight’s occupants by deploying an inexperienced pilot as well as not providing sufficient training.
A Flight Attendant Has Taken Legal Action Against Delta
Among the 80 people on board Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, which was operated by Endeavor Air under the SkyTeam founding member’s Delta Connection regional feeder brand, was Vanessa Miles. According to The Independent, the 67-year-old works as a flight attendant for Endeavor Air, but was on the flight to position for her next assignment – such moves are known as ‘dead-heading.’
When the aircraft flipped onto its back after making a snowy touchdown in Toronto in February of this year, Miles was among those seriously injured. She reportedly sustained fractures and trauma-based injuries, as well as suffering mentally in the aftermath of the crash. Now, she is suing Delta Air Lines for $75 million in damages, although The Independent notes that the carrier declined to comment, stating that:
“Delta declines to comment on pending litigation and continues to fully support the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s ongoing investigation.”
Why Is Miles Suing The Airline?
A key reason for Miles’ legal action against Delta Air Lines is the fact that, more than five months on from the crash, she remains unable to work as a result of the injuries that she sustained in the accident. She has alleged that the pilot of the flight was inexperienced, with Delta endangering passengers and crew by assigning them to the flight. She also said that the flight crew were inadequately trained.
Miles is said to have lost consciousness as a result of the impact, before coming around hanging by her seatbelt but “soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke.” An employee of the firm representing Miles alleged negligence on the part of Delta, stating that “incidents like this don’t occur without someone’s negligence.”
They went on to say, as The Independent notes, that “[Delta] knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly placed profits over safety,” adding that this alleged paradox “[resulted] in this catastrophic incident and [Miles’] severe injuries.” According to CBC News, Miles also alleged that Delta and Endeavor cut corners when it came to maintaining the plane’s landing gear and establishing emergency response procedures.
Several Others Have Also Sued Delta Air Lines Due To The Crash
Given the dramatic and traumatic nature of the crash that left at least 21 of the aircraft’s occupants injured, it is unsurprising to read that Miles is far from the only person on the plane to have taken legal action against Delta Air Lines. According to CBC, at least 19 passengers have filed lawsuits against Delta and Endeavor.
CBC notes that Delta maintains that both pilots on board the flight were qualified, with the First Officer having completed their training some 10 months before the crash, and the Captain also being suitably experienced. As is often the case with major air crashes, it will take a long time for the full investigation to come out, with the TSB’s final report expected to take at least another year to complete.
Indeed, according to CBC, the fall of 2026 has been slated as when the final investigation will be finished and made public, and you would have to assume that the ongoing legal proceedings relating to the accident won’t be solved overnight either. A preliminary report noted that the nose was pitched unusually in the run-up to the crash, but it is still too early to explain the reason for the hard landing.
Delta Air Lines Founded 1929 – CEO Ed Bastian
