A preliminary report into a Delta Airlines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport last month says the aircraft’s alert system indicated a high rate of descent less than three seconds before touchdown.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its report on Thursday as it continues to investigate the Feb. 17 crash landing that sent 21 people to hospital.
“At 1412:40 (3.6 seconds before touchdown), when the aircraft was at a height of 50 feet AGL, the indicated airspeed was 145 knots, and the ground speed was 112 knots. The rate of descent had increased to 1114 fpm. The enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) aural alert “fifty” sounded to indicate the aircraft was at 50 feet AGL, which is a standard callout,” the report states.
“One second later (2.6 seconds before touchdown), the EGPWS alert ‘sink rate’ sounded, indicating a high rate of descent. The aircraft’s indicated airspeed was 136 knots, its ground speed was 111 knots, and the rate of descent had remained at about 1100 fpm. The bank angle increased to a 4.7° right bank. The engine thrust was steady at approximately 43% N1.”
The flight from Minneapolis, which was carrying 76 passengers and four crew, was attempting to land just after 2 p.m. on February 17 when the aircraft impacted the runway and parts of the plane separated, notably a wing and the tail section, and caught fire. The plane burst into flames as it flipped over and skidded on the tarmac.
In its preliminary report, the TSB also said an explosion happened outside the plane in the left wing root area, after passengers and crew exited the plane.
“The cause of this explosion has yet to be determined,” the report states.
The TSB also released a video that provides an update on the investigation and the facts gathered thus far.
Twenty-one passengers and crew were injured during the accident, many of whom were hospitalized. All have since been released.
“For everyone at Endeavor Air and Delta, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people. That’s why we remain fully engaged as participants in the investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Out of respect for the integrity of this work that will continue through their final report, Endeavor Air and Delta will refrain from comment,” Delta Airlines said in a statement to CityNews.
The TSB had said Thursday’s report would contain preliminary factual information, intended to provide information on the progress of the investigation.
“It is important to note that at this stage in the investigation, it is too early to draw conclusions as to the causes of this accident based on this information,” the TSB told CityNews.
More to come
With files from John Marchesan, CityNews
