Delta Now Faces 11 Lawsuits After Toronto Plane Crash

ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) is currently facing 11 lawsuits stemming from the crash landing of Flight DL4819 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on February 17. The Bombardier CRJ regional jet overturned on a slippery runway, yet all 80 passengers and crew members managed to survive.

The affected passengers report “extreme injuries” and are citing negligence on the part of Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air (4N). The legal claims refer to the Montreal Convention, which is responsible for determining airline liability in cases involving international flights.

Delta Faces 11 Lawsuits

The incident involving Flight DL4819, which was traveling from Minneapolis to Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), has resulted in numerous legal actions against Delta Air Lines (DL).

The complaints assert that the airline bears liability under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers accountable for injuries incurred during international journeys.

In some lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that Delta demonstrated negligence and highlight a history of operational failures that they contend contributed to the accident.

One plaintiff, Marthinus Lourens, claims he was soaked in jet fuel and suffered injuries to his head, neck, and back while suspended upside down in the cabin.

Another passenger, Hannah Krebs, described in her filing that she was violently thrown around when the aircraft rolled over, leading to physical trauma.

As reported by PYOK, the lawsuits collectively outline what plaintiffs refer to as an “extensive litany of errors and omissions” attributed to Delta before and during the landing attempt.

Delta’s Legal Defense

In response, Delta is attempting to consolidate all lawsuits into a single jurisdiction in the US District Court in Minnesota, where the flight originated.

Delta’s legal team, in their court submission, argues that Minnesota possesses the “most substantial connections” to the incident for the purposes of US legal proceedings. This strategy aims to centralize pre-trial hearings and minimize procedural delays.

Despite the growing legal challenges, Delta has publicly denied any claims of liability, asserting that it does not accept responsibility for the injuries sustained during the crash.

Nonetheless, Delta has recognized the probability of additional lawsuits being initiated by other passengers from Flight 4819 in the upcoming months.

Ongoing Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is actively investigating the crash. In its preliminary report issued in March, the board outlined 11 critical areas that need further examination.

These areas include aircraft wing integrity, landing gear functionality, pilot training sufficiency, and landing techniques employed.

Significantly, the CRJ’s right wing and tail were completely severed from the fuselage as the aircraft skidded across the icy surface. The plane is currently stored for forensic analysis.

Additionally, it was reported that the cockpit door jammed shut upon impact, trapping the pilots inside the aircraft.

A passenger ultimately rescued the flight crew through an emergency escape hatch, highlighting the chaos during the evacuation.

In light of public scrutiny, Delta had to release verified records regarding the pilots’ experience after incorrect reports began circulating online.

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