Delta Air Lines has disclosed details regarding the crew involved in a flight from Minneapolis that tragically crashed and overturned at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.
According to officials, the captain joined Mesaba Airlines in October 2007, which later merged with Pinnacle Airlines in 2012, resulting in the creation of Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta. Furthermore, he has held the position of an active duty captain and has been involved in pilot training and flight safety roles.
CBS News has discovered that the initial officer completed their studies at a university known for its reputable aviation program, allowing them to begin their career with less than 1,500 hours under a Restricted Air Transport Pilot certificate. After surpassing the 1,500-hour milestone, she achieved her full ATP certificate in January 2023, the pinnacle of pilot certifications in the U.S. She completed her training in April and has been flying for Endeavor ever since.
Delta claims her flight experience “went beyond the basic standards” established by federal guidelines.
She successfully completed all her check rides, and a source close to the matter indicated that there were “no red flags” regarding her piloting abilities.
Delta stated that online claims suggesting the captain and first officer did not complete training events are untrue, emphasizing that both crew members hold Federal Aviation Administration certification for their roles.
“Every pilot is prepared for these situations,” stated Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian during a special interview with CBS Mornings. “They operate in various conditions across all the airports we evaluate, so there’s nothing particular regarding experience that I would consider.”
The investigation into the cause of Monday’s crash is currently being conducted by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration. On Tuesday, authorities announced the successful recovery of the aircraft’s black box.
An Endeavor Air flight made contact with the runway upon its arrival at Toronto Airport around 1:15 p.m. CST, as reported by Delta. Footage and photographs from the incident revealed the CRJ-900 aircraft igniting upon impact with the ground, subsequently veering sideways as it skidded across the airfield, shedding its tail and both wings in the process.
On Wednesday, a representative from Delta announced that the airline is providing $30,000 to those who were on the flight. A representative from the company stated that the Delta Care Team is informing travelers that “this gesture comes with no conditions and does not impact rights.”
As of Thursday, all 21 individuals hurt in the incident have been discharged from the hospital. Everyone aboard Flight 4819, comprising 76 passengers and four crew members, emerged unscathed from the devastating crash.