TORONTO (AP) – The Delta LineJet alert system, which flipped upside down and fell into flames after attempting to land in Toronto last month, shows a high rate of less than three seconds of touchdown descent, according to a preliminary report released Thursday.
The Canada Road Safety Board, which issued the report, continues its investigation into the February 17 crash landing, in which 21 people were hospitalized.
All 76 passengers and four crew survived when a Delta plane arrived from Minneapolis turned over and slid over the tarmac before surging.
The airspeed was 136 knots, or 155 mph, reported by the TSB of Canada when the plane’s ground melee warning system rang 2.6 seconds before the touchdown. The plane’s landing gear was folded into a contracted position during a touchdown, cutting off the fuselage, releasing a cloud of jet fuel, causing a fire.
The Safety Commission says the ongoing investigation focuses on several key areas, including metallurgical inspection of wing structures, landing technology, pilot training and the passenger evacuation process.
All those hospitalized were released within days of crash.
At least two lawsuits have been filed in the US, with the Canadian law firm saying it is held by several passengers.
Delta declined to comment on the preliminary report.
“We remain fully involved as participants in the investigation led by the Canada Road Safety Board. We respect the integrity of this work that continues through our final report, and Air and Delta will decline to comment,” the airline said.
