(VitalNews.org) – Seeking to get emotionally distressed passengers off its back with a meager offer, Delta Air Lines is handing out $30,000 checks after a Minneapolis flight crash-landed in Toronto.
The airline has come up with what many believe is an insufficient payout, considering the highly traumatic experience passengers had to endure.
The crash occurred when a Delta jet, operated by its regional subsidiary Endeavor Air, attempted to land at Toronto’s Pearson Airport in the middle of gusty 40 mph winds.
The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft experienced a hard landing, causing the right wing to strike the ground and the plane to flip over.
The impact resulted in severe structural damage, with both wings and the tail section torn off.
Miraculously, all 80 passengers and crew members survived the harrowing ordeal.
While 21 individuals were initially hospitalized, most have since been released, with only one person remaining under medical care.
This outcome is nothing short of a miracle, considering the extent of the damage to the aircraft.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian was quick to praise the flight crew’s response, stating they acted “heroically but also as expected.”
“We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries,” Greater Toronto Airports Authority CEO Deborah Flint added.
Now, in what appears to be a preemptive strike against potential million-dollar lawsuits, Delta is offering each passenger a mere $30,000 in compensation.
The airline claims the payout comes with “no strings attached” and does not affect passengers’ legal rights.
Passenger Pete Carlson’s account of the crash is chilling. He described it as a “forceful event” where everything “went sideways,” and passengers “crashed down onto the ceiling, which had become the floor.”
This harrowing experience underscores the trauma endured by those on board and the potential long-term psychological effects they may face.
In the meantime, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the crash with support from U.S. aviation regulators.
Flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered, but the official cause remains undetermined.
Speculation about the cause ranges from strong crosswinds to pilot error or mechanical issues.
The incident highlights the need for stricter safety measures and improved weather-related protocols in commercial aviation.
It also raises concerns about the reliability of regional carriers operating under major airline brands.
As the investigation continues, concerned citizens demand transparency and accountability from Delta Air Lines and the aviation industry as a whole.
Additionally, the $30,000 compensation has been labeled insufficient as it pales in comparison to the potential costs of ongoing medical care, lost wages, and emotional distress suffered by the passengers.
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