UPDATE: Flight Attendant Reportedly Files $75M Lawsuit Against Delta Following Crash-Landing Plane Incident In Toronto
Delta Air Lines is facing significant legal challenges following a $75 million lawsuit filed by flight attendant Vanessa Miles, who alleges that “gross negligence” was responsible for the catastrophic crash in February that caused a plane to overturn at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. To exacerbate the situation, the aircraft ignited shortly after all passengers managed to evacuate the fuel-soaked plane. Below are the claims she has made in her lawsuit…
The Incident That Disturbed Delta Passengers
On February 17, a Delta Airlines flight, operated by its subsidiary Endeavor Air, was arriving from Minneapolis when it unexpectedly crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. As previously reported, the aircraft did not merely touch down; it flipped, skidded, and ignited shortly thereafter.
Fortunately, all individuals on board survived. However, 21 people, including Vanessa, were taken to the hospital. The lawsuit states that the plane impacted the ground with a “violent and catastrophic drop,” rendering Vanessa unconscious, according to BNN Bloomberg. She asserts that she was suspended upside down in her seatbelt, drenched in jet fuel, and enveloped in smoke. Furthermore, Vanessa claims that she regained consciousness in a state of panic, with no emergency slides operational, compelling her to leap six to seven feet to the ground. The aircraft reportedly erupted in flames just minutes after her escape. Now, Vanessa is pursuing legal action, asserting that Delta’s negligence resulted in this harrowing experience.
Vanessa’s Accusations Against Delta’s Alleged Unethical Practices
The 67-year-old resident of Detroit and veteran Endeavor flight attendant was not on duty at the time; she was “deadheading,” which means she was a passenger en route to her next assignment. Her lawsuit, submitted on July 28 in a Michigan federal court, outlines a series of serious allegations. She accuses Delta and Endeavor of compromising safety by assigning an “inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot” to operate the flight.
According to CBC, a preliminary report from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) indicated a warning of a “high rate of descent” just moments prior to the crash. The aircraft’s nose tilted at a one-degree angle, rather than the advised three to eight degrees. Vanessa’s attorneys at Mike Morse Law Firm are also taking a firm stance, asserting that Delta “knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly prioritized profits over safety,” as reported by the aforementioned outlet.
Furthermore, they contend that the airline neglected to maintain the landing gear and emergency systems, leaving passengers without direction during the tumultuous evacuation. Vanessa is pursuing $75 million in damages for injuries including a fractured shoulder, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and more, stating that she is unable to work as a result.
Delta Previously Addressed Claims Of Unqualified Pilots Flying The Aircraft
Delta Airlines has robustly defended its pilots, asserting that the captain, who was hired in 2007, and the first officer, whose flight experience exceeds the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations, were fully qualified. “Claims that she failed training events are untrue,” Delta Airlines stated in a February announcement, as reported by Fox9.
In an effort to rectify the situation, the company has offered each of the 76 passengers $30,000, with no conditions attached, amounting to a total of $2.28 million. However, it seems that some individuals are opting to pursue legal action instead, indicating that their injuries and suffering are valued higher than the compensation offered. Marthinus Lourens, another passenger who was traveling for business, has also filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines. The incident resulted in him suffering from “significant injuries” to his head, neck, back, knees, and face, according to NBC News.