A Delta flight attendant is pursuing legal action against the airline, seeking damages of $75 million following a harrowing incident where a plane flipped upside down on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2023. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, claims that Delta exhibited “recklessness” and “gross negligence” in its operations.
The plaintiff, Vanessa Miles, alleges that the airline prioritized efficiency over safety by hastily training pilots and placing inexperienced flight crews in charge. The incident occurred during a flight from Minneapolis, where up to 21 passengers sustained injuries when the aircraft unexpectedly overturned on the tarmac.
Miles described a terrifying experience in the lawsuit, stating that she regained consciousness upside down in the aircraft, surrounded by smoke and soaked in jet fuel. As the aircraft had turned over, she unbuckled her seatbelt and fell to the ceiling of the inverted plane. The emergency slides failed to deploy, leading her to fall over six feet to the ground upon exiting. Just two minutes later, the aircraft erupted into flames, although all 80 individuals on board managed to evacuate safely.
In March, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada disclosed that the aircraft’s rapid descent caused its landing gear to collapse upon touchdown. The lawsuit further asserts that both Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, did not adequately prepare their flight crew for emergency evacuation procedures, exacerbating the situation during the crisis.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines stated that the company would not comment on ongoing litigation but reiterated its full support for the investigation led by Canadian federal authorities. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for airline safety protocols and training procedures, particularly concerning crew readiness in emergency scenarios.
As this lawsuit progresses, the aviation community will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding the incident and its potential impact on industry practices.
