Delta Air Lines is offering $30,000 in compensation to each passenger aboard Delta Connection Flight 4819 after its crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.
The airline confirmed the payout on Wednesday, stating that the gesture comes with “no strings attached” and does not affect passengers’ legal rights.
The flight, operated by Delta’s regional subsidiary Endeavor Air, departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with 76 passengers and four crew members. Upon landing in Toronto, the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft experienced a hard landing, resulting in the right wing striking the ground before the plane flipped upside down. The impact caused severe structural damage, including the loss of both wings and the tail section, while flames and smoke emerged from the wreckage.
Despite the dramatic scene, all passengers and crew survived, with 21 individuals initially hospitalized and only one remaining under medical care as of Wednesday. Delta CEO Ed Bastian praised the flight crew’s quick response, stating they acted "heroically but also as expected."
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, with support from U.S. aviation regulators, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigators have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders for analysis.
Aviation experts have speculated that strong crosswinds, pilot maneuvering, or potential mechanical issues may have contributed to the crash. The official cause remains undetermined, and a full report may take months or even years to finalize.
Meanwhile, Delta continues to assist passengers and employees affected by the incident, with efforts underway to recover personal belongings from the wreckage and clear the runway for resumed operations.
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