Delta Air Lines Offers $30,000 to Passengers After Toronto Crash Landing
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will provide $30,000 to each passenger aboard Flight 4819, which crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
The flight, which originated from Minneapolis, carried 80 people—76 passengers and four crew members—all of whom survived the incident.
On Monday, the CRJ-900 jet, operated by Delta’s regional subsidiary Endeavor Air, experienced a hard landing, causing it to flip upside down on the runway. The aircraft’s right wing was sheared off, and a fire broke out. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Of the 21 passengers taken to hospitals, all but one had been released by Wednesday morning. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Delta confirmed on Wednesday that it had offered $30,000 to each passenger as a goodwill gesture. The airline emphasized that this payment comes with “no strings attached” and does not impact passengers’ legal rights.
Under international aviation treaties, airlines are required to provide advance payments to passengers in cases of injury or death to cover immediate financial needs. Such payments do not indicate liability and can be deducted from any future compensation awarded through legal proceedings.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. Weather conditions, human error, and mechanical issues are all being considered as potential factors. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, with support from US agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Meanwhile, some passengers have already retained legal representation. The Canadian law firm Rochon Genova has confirmed that it is working with several individuals affected by the crash.
Aviation experts have noted that the survival of all passengers is a testament to improvements in aircraft design and emergency response protocols. Seats and seatbelts are built to withstand strong impacts, while modern aircraft are designed to break apart in ways that reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian praised the flight crew for their professionalism in handling the emergency. He also reiterated that aviation remains the safest form of transportation, despite the incident.
Reuters, the Associated Press, CNN, FOX Business, the New York Times, and AOL contributed to this report.
