On February 17, 2025, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 encountered a harrowing incident while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, ultimately resulting in a significant crash but, fortunately, no fatalities. According to a preliminary report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), pilot actions likely played a critical role in the accident, with an excessive rate of descent being a key factor.
The report stated that the aircraft, operating as Delta Air Lines regional flight, was descending too rapidly at the time of landing. Evidence indicated that the aircraft struck the runway with such force that the right main landing gear collapsed, leading to the detachment of the right wing from the fuselage, resulting in a fuel spill that ignited a fire. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft overturn following the impact, but all 80 individuals on board were able to evacuate safely, although there were some injuries.
At the time of the accident, the enhanced ground proximity warning system triggered a "sink rate" warning just 2.6 seconds before the aircraft's landing, indicating that the descent rate was dangerously high. The aircraft was found to be descending at approximately 1,098 feet per minute with a bank angle of about 7 degrees to the right upon impact. TSB Chair Yoan Marier commented on the complexity of aviation accidents, stating, "Accidents and incidents rarely stem from a single cause. They’re often the result of multiple complex, interconnected factors, many extending beyond the aircraft and its operation to wider systemic issues." This observation underscores the ongoing challenges within aviation safety management and pilot preparation.
The first officer, who was in command during the incident, had joined Endeavor in January 2024 and accumulated a total of 1,422.3 hours of flight time, including 418.7 hours on the CRJ-900. Meanwhile, the captain had a more extensive experience record with 3,570 hours of flight time, including 764 hours on this aircraft model and having flown just 3.5 hours in the past 30 days. Both pilots held airline transport pilot ratings, and their combined knowledge was expected to guide the aircraft safely to landing.
In response to the tumultuous landing conditions, the TSB is scrutinizing several details regarding the flight's approach speed. Initial findings showed that the aircraft was landing in gusty winds and poor visibility; the weather at the time of the crash was reported at 6 miles visibility amidst blowing snow and wind gusts reaching 35 knots. As the aircraft was maneuvering to land on Runway 24L, it faced severe crosswinds that proved challenging for the pilots.
During the approach, the flight crew had set the aircraft's speed bug to 144 knots, which is VREF+5 knots stipulated by Endeavor Air’s CRJ700/900 series company flight manual. Given the conditions of gusting winds, they opted to fly at a faster approach speed of 149 knots. However, investigators later noted that this speed made for a challenging landing given the turbulence.
Multiple factors contributed to the landing incident. As the aircraft approached the runway, it descended through 500 feet above ground level at an indicated airspeed of 150 knots before disconnecting the autopilot at about 175 feet. The descent continued and just seconds before touchdown, the enhanced ground proximity warning system's alert for "sink rate" heightened concern among crew members.
At 2:12:43.6 p.m., the right main landing gear struck the runway with a forceful impact, causing it to fracture and fold into the retracted position, leading to the wing breaking off and igniting fuel. This shocking series of events unfolded as the aircraft, after losing its structural integrity, rolled over on its back, creating a chaotic scene on the runway which emergency crews rapidly managed.
None of the 80 passengers and crew members aboard suffered loss of life, although there were injuries reported. The ensuing chaos saw emergency personnel respond quickly, ensuring that all individuals evacuated safely from the aircraft despite the unexpected and perilous scenario.
In light of this incident, the public discourse surrounding flight safety and regulations is pertinent. The preliminary findings reinforce that best practices surrounding approach speeds and descent procedures must remain a priority for aviation authorities and airlines alike, emphasizing the importance of a high standard in pilot training.
The final report from the TSB is anticipated to take up to a year, as investigators continue to sift through multiple avenues of data related to the crash. The collaborative effort surrounding aviation safety seeks to prevent similar accidents moving forward.
