Delta Flight Attendant Sues Airline for $75 Million After Plane Flip
A flight attendant from Delta Airlines is taking legal action against the airline, seeking $75 million after a harrowing incident in which her aircraft flipped upside down on a runway in Toronto. The lawsuit, filed by Vanessa Miles in the Eastern District of Michigan, accuses the airline of “recklessness” and “gross negligence” regarding safety protocols.
On February 17, 2023, a Delta flight arriving from Minneapolis experienced a catastrophic landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Investigators revealed that the plane descended too quickly, leading to a collapse of the landing gear upon touchdown. The incident left as many as 21 passengers injured, prompting further scrutiny into the airline’s operational practices.
In her lawsuit, Miles claims that Delta rushed pilots through training programs, compromising safety and exposing passengers to unnecessary risks. She alleges that the airline knowingly allowed inexperienced flight crews to operate flights, which contributed to the chaotic scene that unfolded that day.
Miles described her experience as harrowing. She reported being unconscious and hanging upside down inside the inverted aircraft. Upon regaining consciousness, she found herself drenched in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke. According to the lawsuit, when she unbuckled her seatbelt, she fell approximately six feet to the ground because the emergency slides had failed to deploy. Just two minutes later, the plane erupted into flames. Fortunately, all 80 individuals aboard managed to escape before the fire broke out.
The injuries suffered by Miles included a traumatic brain injury and a fractured shoulder, both of which have had significant impacts on her well-being. The lawsuit also emphasizes that both Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, neglected to adequately train their flight crews in emergency evacuation procedures, which compounded the dangerous situation.
A spokesperson for Delta Airlines stated that the company would not comment on pending litigation but expressed its commitment to fully supporting the ongoing investigation led by Canadian federal authorities. As the case unfolds, it brings to light critical questions about airline safety and crew training protocols, especially following such a severe incident.
This lawsuit underscores the potential consequences of operational decisions in the aviation industry and highlights the importance of rigorous safety standards to protect both crew and passengers alike.
