Report by DEC
In the aftermath of the recent Delta Air Lines crash at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, aviation experts have identified several critical factors that investigators are likely to examine to determine the cause of the incident. The flight, operated by Endeavor Air, crashed upon landing, flipping upside down and injuring 21 of the 80 people on board. Miraculously, there were no fatalities.
Weather Conditions and Wind Factors
At the time of the crash, the airport was experiencing gusty winds and blowing snow. Experts suggest that variable gusts could have created challenging conditions during the aircraft's final approach. Kit Darby, a veteran aviator and flight instructor, noted that such gusts can lead to unpredictable changes right before touchdown, potentially contributing to the aircraft's instability.
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Additionally, the possibility of wind shear—a sudden change in wind speed and direction—will be a focal point in the investigation. Wind shear can significantly impact an aircraft's performance during landing, and understanding its role is crucial to determining the cause of the crash.
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Landing Technique and Aircraft Handling
Video footage of the incident reveals that the aircraft landed with a slight right-wing low attitude and lacked the typical "flare" maneuver, where pilots raise the aircraft's nose to reduce the descent rate before touchdown. This absence of flare may have resulted in a harder landing than usual. Aviation safety analyst Gregory Feith observed that the aircraft's descent rate was not adequately arrested by a landing flare, leading to the right wing's disintegration upon impact.
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The investigation will likely assess the pilots' actions during the approach and landing phases to determine if human factors or procedural deviations played a role in the crash.
Mechanical Integrity and Landing Gear Performance
The sequence of events suggests that the right wingtip made contact with the ground first, causing the aircraft to flip onto its roof. Investigators will examine the landing gear's performance to ascertain if a mechanical failure, such as a structural break or tire blowout, contributed to the loss of control. Darby emphasized that even without a proper flare, the landing gear is designed to withstand significant impact, and a failure in this system could have been a critical factor.
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Runway Conditions and Environmental Factors
Despite reports of blowing snow, airport officials stated that the runway was dry at the time of the incident. However, the investigation will consider whether residual ice, snow, or other contaminants affected the aircraft's landing performance. Environmental factors, including visibility and runway surface conditions, are essential components in understanding the full context of the crash.
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Survivability and Safety Measures
Remarkably, all passengers and crew survived the crash. Experts attribute this to effective safety measures, including the structural integrity of the aircraft's fuselage and the proper use of seatbelts. Aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse noted that the design of passenger seats and safety belts played a significant role in preventing fatalities.
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Ongoing Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies, has recovered the aircraft's black boxes for detailed analysis. These recordings will provide critical data on the aircraft's systems and crew communications during the flight's final moments, offering invaluable insights into the factors leading up to the crash.
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As the investigation progresses, a comprehensive examination of these factors will be essential to determine the root cause of the accident and to develop measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.