Flight Attendant Sues Delta, Blames ‘Inexperienced Pilot’ for Toronto Crash
A flight attendant who was hailed for her bravery during a fiery Delta plane crash earlier this year is now suing the airline, claiming it knowingly endangered passengers by assigning an “inexperienced pilot” and failing to prioritize safety.
Vanessa Miles, a 67-year-old off-duty flight attendant traveling as a passenger, filed a 15-page lawsuit in federal court in Michigan this week. The suit names both Delta Air Lines and its regional partner, Endeavor Air, as defendants and seeks at least $75 million in damages for negligence and serious personal injuries.
The incident occurred on February 17, when Delta Connection Flight 4819—a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Endeavor—flipped over and skidded down the runway during a landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The flight, which had departed from Minneapolis, carried 80 passengers and crew members. Video and images of the overturned aircraft on a snow-covered runway quickly made global headlines.
According to the lawsuit, Miles was “deadheading” to her next assignment, a common industry practice where airline employees fly as passengers. Though she was off duty, she claims she suffered significant physical and psychological trauma during the crash.
“When the aircraft came to rest on its roof, she was unconscious, hanging upside down in her seatbelt,” the suit states. “When she regained consciousness, she was soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke.”
Miles was hospitalized in Toronto and diagnosed with multiple injuries, including a fractured shoulder, knee and back trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She remains employed by Endeavor Air but has been unable to return to work due to her injuries.
The complaint alleges that Delta and Endeavor “knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly place profits over safety,” resulting in what it calls a “catastrophic incident.” It further accuses the airline of assigning inadequately trained pilots, stating the crash would not have occurred without negligence.
Michael Morse, the attorney representing Miles, told CBC News, “Something went wrong here. Incidents like this don’t occur without someone’s negligence.”
Delta has declined to comment on the lawsuit, stating only that it continues to cooperate with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) ongoing investigation. Endeavor Air has not issued a public response.
According to the TSB’s preliminary report released in March, the aircraft experienced a rapid descent and an abnormal nose pitch in the final seconds before touchdown. However, the agency emphasized that it was too early to determine the definitive cause of the crash. A full investigation report is expected by fall 2026.
Miles is not alone in seeking damages. CBC News reports that at least 19 additional lawsuits have been filed by passengers—both American and Canadian—against Delta and Endeavor over the same incident.
This lawsuit raises serious questions about pilot training standards, airline safety procedures, and accountability in regional flight operations, as passengers and crew await the findings of the final safety investigation.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Endeavor+Air, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cbsnews.com, yahoo.com