Delta Air Lines has countered online speculation and "misinformation" regarding the crew of Flight 4819, operated by subsidiary Endeavor Air, which crashed during landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday. The airline emphasized the crew's qualifications and experience, refuting claims about failed training events.
According to Delta, the captain, employed since October 2007, has a strong track record, including experience as an active duty captain, pilot trainer, and involvement in safety initiatives. The first officer, hired in January 2024 and flying since April, also surpasses minimum federal flight experience requirements. Delta firmly stated that allegations of training failures for both pilots are untrue.
The aircraft caught fire upon landing and overturned, resulting in 21 injuries, though thankfully no fatalities. Delta confirmed that all injured passengers were discharged by Thursday, expressing gratitude for the care they received.
Delta is providing $30,000 to each of the 80 individuals on board, encompassing both passengers and crew. The airline clarified that accepting this compensation does not preclude passengers from pursuing further legal action.
CEO Ed Bastian addressed concerns about the impact of recent budget cuts on aviation safety, stating that the cuts targeted non-essential roles and did not compromise safety protocols.
