Unconfirmed reports suggest that 26-year-old Kendal Michelle Swanson was the pilot of the Delta/Endeavor plane that crashed upside-down on Monday at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
While Endeavor Air has yet to officially disclose the names of the pilots, speculation on social media is circulating that Swanson was at the controls during the incident.
Swanson, who was recently certified as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) on January 9, 2025, had a relatively brief career in aviation. Rumors circulate that, just a year ago, she was an instructor pilot for small propeller aircraft and had only recently been licensed to co-pilot a small jet before the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airmen Certificate database confirms her ATP certification but notes that Swanson does not meet the required aeronautical experience to serve as pilot-in-command.
The plane, a Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet, was landing in Toronto amid challenging weather conditions, including gusting crosswinds and blowing snow. According to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, the pilots of the flight were experienced and familiar with winter conditions. However, the plane’s failure to execute the standard "flare" maneuver during its descent has raised questions among experts about potential issues in the pilot’s actions.
The crash, which occurred on Monday, resulted in 21 passengers sustaining injuries, with one remaining hospitalized. Thankfully, all of the injured are expected to survive. The aircraft was removed from the runway on Wednesday, and Delta has offered $30,000 goodwill payments to all passengers, though these payments do not affect their legal rights.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation, with data from the recovered black boxes already being analyzed. Initial reports suggest the weather played a role in the crash, but further analysis is expected.
The incident has sparked intense discussion on social media, with some raising concerns about the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the hiring practices of airlines. Endeavor Air, a regional carrier for Delta, has actively promoted its commitment to diversity, including highlighting all-female “unmanned” flights.
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
Some users on social platforms have speculated whether Swanson’s hiring was influenced by DEI initiatives, though this remains unconfirmed. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the technical factors of the crash and the actions of the pilots involved.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ