Fast-Descending Delta Flight Crashes in Toronto: Preliminary Report Insights

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released a preliminary report regarding the Delta Air Lines incident in Toronto, indicating that the aircraft was descending rapidly prior to landing. This alarming descent of 1,100 feet per minute—double the threshold for what's considered a "hard landing"—occurred just before touchdown. The report further indicated that a warning regarding the rapid descent was triggered moments before the incident.

When the aircraft made contact with the runway, a component connected to the landing gear on the right side malfunctioned and broke, leading to the plane rolling to its right. This severe maneuver caused the right wing to snap off, resulting in a fiery explosion after the plane came to rest upside down. Fortunately, all 80 individuals on board—comprising 76 passengers and four crew members—managed to evacuate without injury moments before the explosion occurred.

Experts have weighed in on the flight's rapid descent, with one former accident investigator suggesting that such a high rate of descent may have exceeded the structural limits of the aircraft’s landing gear. This incident raises important questions about safety protocols and operational checks in place for regional flights, highlighting a potential need for stricter regulations to ensure passenger safety.