The upside-down crash of a Delta flight in Toronto has sparked intense scrutiny and debate, particularly surrounding the pilot’s identity and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in aviation.
The incident occurred on Monday at Toronto Pearson International Airport when a Delta-operated Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft flipped upside down during its landing attempt, injuring 21 people. The flight, operated by Endeavor Air, a regional airline affiliated with Delta, was traveling from Minneapolis-St. Paul and had 80 people on board, including crew members.
Following the impact, parts of the aircraft separated, and a fire ensued, according to Canadian investigators. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the inquiry into the crash, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Initial reports indicate that weather conditions, including gusting crosswinds and blowing snow, were present at the time of the crash.
However, the lack of the usual “flare” maneuver—where pilots pull the nose of the plane up just before touchdown to slow the aircraft and ensure a smoother landing—has raised questions among aviation experts about potential issues with the pilot’s actions during the descent.
❗️ It’s interesting how Delta hasn’t released even a SLIVER of information on the pilots in yesterday’s crash 🤔
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 18, 2025
What’s going on, @Delta?
Who was flying the plane? pic.twitter.com/LS59w1Wfgf
This crash is part of a series of recent aviation tragedies, including the January 29 collision over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67 people, as well as a medevac crash in Philadelphia that claimed seven lives. President Donald Trump, during a January 30 briefing about the American Airlines collision, described the incident as a "real tragedy" and suggested that government DEI policies and employee mental health were factors contributing to the crashes.
In addition to the technical details of the Delta crash, online speculation has turned toward the identity of the pilot and the potential influence of DEI hiring practices. Endeavor Air has publicly promoted the use of all-female “unmanned” flights, with TikTok videos from the airline showcasing its commitment to diversity in the cockpit.
The plane that crashed in Toronto was a Delta flight operated by Endeavor Air, a small airline obsessed with all-female "unmanned" flights pic.twitter.com/pYMS3kdpQy
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 19, 2025
This has led some social media users to question whether the pilot involved in the crash was hired as part of Delta’s broader push to diversify its workforce. The term “DEI hire” has been used by some to imply that individuals might be hired based on diversity quotas, rather than solely on their qualifications and experience.
The pinned video on Delta’s TikTok account: pic.twitter.com/leDMlhtAq3
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 18, 2025
Delta Airlines responded to the incident by reassuring the public that safety is its top priority. The airline reported that 19 of the 21 passengers who were taken to local hospitals following the crash have since been released and are recovering from their injuries. The two remaining hospitalized passengers are in stable condition, and none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
As the investigation into Flight 4819 continues, the questions surrounding the pilot’s background and the impact of DEI initiatives on aviation safety are likely to remain a point of contention.
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