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Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
In late January, a tragic crash occurred between an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities. Another alarming incident happened on Monday when Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crash-landed in Toronto. Two videos vividly captured the chaotic scenes experienced by the 80 people on board, culminating in the plane flipping over. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
How did passengers manage to survive?
The “miracle.” The Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, made what appeared to be a normal landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Suddenly, everything went awry. As the wheels touched the runway, the plane began to slide, struck its right wing, spun around, and ultimately ended up upside down in flames.
Despite the severity of the accident, all 80 passengers and crew members managed to survive. 18 individuals were injured, including one adult and one child in critical condition, though they’re now out of danger.
The plane’s impact and the struggle to escape. According to the Toronto Star, passengers described the moment of impact as akin to being “smacked into a wall” before the plane flipped over. Left upside down, many passengers hung suspended by their seat belts, witnessing fuel sliding out of the windows as fire consumed part of the aircraft.
Pete Carlson, a paramedic on board, managed to unbuckle himself and drop to what once was the ceiling of the plane, now the floor. He then helped others free themselves from their seats. Meanwhile, in a state of shock, other passengers worked together to exit as quickly as possible.
A video recorded by fellow passenger Pete Koukov captured the crew organizing the evacuation. Personnel gave firm and urgent instructions to guide people through the emergency doors in the inverted plane, a rare occurrence in airplane crashes. Outside, firefighters sprayed foam on the fuselage as black smoke and flames made visibility difficult amid a snowstorm.
How the tragedy was avoided. In comparison to many recent air disasters, experts have been discussing how this particular incident became a “miracle.” In reality, it wasn’t due to a single factor, but rather several elements that contributed to not a single death. Three main factors played a role in the survival of all passengers and crew members.
Aircraft design and safety measures. Like all modern commercial aircraft, the Bombardier CRJ900 is constructed to meet “crashworthiness” standards. This means that its structure, seat belts, and seats are designed to maximize survivability in the event of an impact. In this case, the cabin absorbed much of the crash force without disintegrating, allowing passengers to escape alive.
According to Graham Braithwaite, an aeronautics expert at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, these design elements were critical in helping passengers withstand the impact of the rollover without sustaining fatal injuries. Michael J. McCormick from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University told The Washington Post that advancements in aeronautical engineering and regulations have progressed so significantly that accidents which would have previously been fatal can now end with total survival.
Cabin crew performance. Crew training was just as important as the aircraft’s design. It was crucial for organizing a quick and effective evacuation. Despite the confusion and chaos, aircrew successfully maintained order and evacuated all passengers from the plane within minutes, even though the aircraft was overturned.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations require any aircraft with more than 44 passengers to be evacuated in under 90 seconds. However, this situation was more complex due to the aircraft’s overturned position, which made it challenging for passengers to orient themselves and exit.
Immediate response of the emergency teams. Toronto airport authorities responded extremely quickly, securing the area and preventing the fire from spreading to the fuel tanks. Initial reports from air traffic control confirmed the seriousness of the situation, leading to the rapid mobilization of rescue teams.
According to International Civil Aviation Organization standards, rescue teams must respond within two minutes. In this case, firefighters and paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes, quickly extinguishing the fire and assisting in the evacuation of passengers.
Causes of the accident. While authorities haven’t determined the exact cause of the accident, the landing occurred under wind conditions of up to 70 mph, and snow had accumulated on the runway due to two recent storms. However, the airport’s fire chief ruled out runway issues, suggesting that other factors–such as mechanical failure or human error–may have contributed to the incident.
Regardless of the cause, the passengers’ overall survival on Flight 4819 demonstrates the advancements in aeronautical engineering, safety protocols, and emergency response. Although images of the burning and overturned plane indicate a potentially disastrous situation, the combination of these factors helped prevent an even worse outcome.
In an interview, Carlson explained he had only one thought after exiting the plane, “I didn’t care how cold it was, I didn’t care how far I had to walk, how long I had to stand. All of us wanted to just be out of the aircraft.”
Image | Ross Parmly
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