Delta Flight Flips Upside Down in Toronto: Experts weigh in as internet reacts—'It feels unsafe to fly in Trump's America'
Courtesy: AP
Delta Flight Flips in Toronto: Experts and Social Media React
Passengers aboard a Delta Airlines flight experienced a terrifying landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport when their aircraft flipped upside down upon touchdown. The incident, involving a Bombardier CRJ900, left 18 people injured and raised fresh concerns about aviation safety.
While rare, aviation experts say that commercial aircraft are built to withstand extreme scenarios—including flipping over. "The structural elements of an aircraft are designed so that the wings and the tail will break off and away in the event of a tip-over," said Mike McCormick, associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He explained that airplane seats are designed to endure forces up to 16 times the force of gravity, keeping passengers secure.
The Delta flight’s cabin crew quickly evacuated all 80 passengers, showcasing the importance of their rigorous safety training. "Most people think of them as flight attendants serving refreshments and answering questions," McCormick added. "Where they really perform their true function is during experiences like this when their training comes into play."
The incident, one of several high-profile aviation mishaps this year, reignited debate about airline safety. "Despite the crashes, we are in the safest time in aviation history," McCormick assured.
How Did the Plane Flip?
Experts continue to analyze how the aircraft ended up belly-up on the runway. MIT professor and aviation safety expert Arnold Barnett described it as a "horrible rollercoaster," speculating that the small size of the CRJ900 played a role in preventing more severe injuries.
Aviation safety engineer Najm Meshkati noted that the greatest danger in such crashes is fire, referencing a recent disaster in South Korea that claimed 179 lives when a commercial plane burst into flames upon impact. "The Toronto Airport is known for being on top of these emergency type situations," said Hassan Shahidi, CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, applauding first responders for their swift action.
On social media, theories about the crash spread quickly. One user questioned, "Do you know how the plane flipped?" while another commented, "Flying is like Russian roulette nowadays."
Flying is like Russian roulette nowadays
Others placed blame on government policies, with one tweet stating, "This is what happens when you defund the FAA," and another claiming, "As Trump continues to fire airline support staff, planes just keep crashing."
It seriously feels so unsafe to fly in Trump's America.
— Allison Claudene (@allisonclaudene) February 17, 2025We are barely a month without woke and I’m seeing planes do things I didn’t know were possible https://t.co/JZmdwd1lUm
— William Paris (@whitherutopia) February 17, 2025this is what happens when you defund the FAA @DOGE
— andromeda (@andromeda_IX) February 17, 2025As Trump continues to fire airline support staff, planes just keep crashing. This latest crash in Toronto involved a Delta Airlines jet that flipped upside down. 😳👇 pic.twitter.com/Kh4OJvCq0M
Some aviation enthusiasts suggested that weather conditions, particularly wind shear, may have caused the dramatic landing. "It looks like possible wind shear. It seems like he lost lift at 30-40 feet above the ground," one user speculated. "You would have to apply full throttle and pull up out of it, but being that close to the ground is next to impossible to recover from."
Meanwhile, another user recalled an old aviation saying: "In pilot training, the trainer used to say: ‘Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.’ I guess he was both right and wrong on this one."
Looks like possible wind shear. It seems like he lost lift at 30-40ft above the ground. You would have to apply full throttle and pull up out of it but being that close to the ground is next to impossible to recover from.
— Spiros Kozaris (@spiroskozaris) February 18, 2025In pilot training the trainer used to say: “any landing you can walk away from is a good landing”.
I guess he was both right and wrong on this one.Emergency preparedness expert and physician Mike Shertz highlighted the importance of seatbelts in such incidents. "If the plane stops suddenly, you’re going to be shifted forward in your seat, and a couple of inches could make the difference between you hitting something in front of you," he explained.
Shertz compared the experience to being inside a flipped car: "It’s going to be massively disorienting. People don’t spend a lot of time hanging upside down." He advised passengers to carefully assess their surroundings before unbuckling to avoid falling onto debris.
Despite the chaotic scene, experts agree the lack of fatalities is a testament to aviation safety advancements. "We’re thankful and grateful that there were no fatalities and people were actually walking out," Shahidi noted.
While investigations continue, one social media user summed up the bizarre nature of the crash with a humorous meme: "The ground crew seeing the Delta flight approaching for an upside-down landing…" accompanied by a GIF of a bewildered reaction.
The ground crew seeing the Delta flight approaching for an upside down landing… pic.twitter.com/ZED83zXOvQ
As the aviation industry faces increased scrutiny, this incident will likely remain a focal point in ongoing discussions about airline safety.