Delta Now Faces 11 Lawsuits After Toronto Plane Crash

ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) now faces 11 lawsuits concerning the crash landing of Flight DL4819 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on February 17. During this incident, the Bombardier CRJ regional jet flipped upside down on a slippery runway, but fortunately, all 80 passengers and crew members survived.

Passengers are reporting “extreme injuries,” citing negligent actions by Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air (4N). Legal documents reference the Montreal Convention, a treaty that governs airline liability in international flight incidents.

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).

These lawsuits assert that the airline is accountable under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for injuries sustained during international flights.

Several cases go beyond the standard claims, pinpointing Delta for negligence and outlining a pattern of operational failures that allegedly led to the crash.

Among the plaintiffs is Marthinus Lourens, who reported being drenched in jet fuel and sustaining injuries to his head, neck, and back while upside down in the cabin.

Another passenger, Hannah Krebs, mentions in her complaint that she was violently thrown about when the aircraft overturned, resulting in physical trauma.

According to reports by PYOK, the lawsuits highlight what the plaintiffs describe as a “comprehensive list of errors and omissions” on Delta’s part, both prior to and during the flight’s landing attempt.

Delta’s Legal Strategy

Delta is working to consolidate all legal proceedings into a single jurisdiction, specifically the US District Court in Minnesota, where the flight originated.

In their court filing, Delta’s legal team argued that Minnesota presents the “strongest connections” to the incident for US legal considerations. Their goal is to centralize pre-trial hearings and minimize procedural holdups.

Despite the increasing legal pressure, Delta has denied liability for any injuries resulting from the crash. Their attorneys have firmly stated that the airline does not accept responsibility for the events that transpired.

However, Delta has acknowledged the possibility of additional lawsuits being filed by other passengers from Flight 4819 in the near future.

Current Investigation Status

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is actively investigating the crash. A preliminary report released in March identified 11 critical areas requiring further examination.

Among these are the aircraft’s wing integrity, landing gear functionality, pilot training adequacy, and landing techniques.

Significantly, the aircraft’s right wing and tail were completely severed from the fuselage during the skidding on the icy surface. The plane remains stored for forensic investigation.

The report noted that the cockpit door jammed upon impact, trapping the pilots inside, and a passenger eventually rescued the crew through an emergency escape hatch, emphasizing the chaos during evacuation.

Under public scrutiny, Delta had to provide verified records of the pilots’ experience following the spread of inaccurate online reports.

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