Latest news with #VanessaMiles
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Detroit flight attendant files $75M lawsuit against Delta Airlines, Endeavor Air over Toronto plane crash
A Detroit flight attendant is suing Delta Airlines and Endeavor Air Inc., claiming that the airlines assigned an "inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight" that resulted in a plane crash earlier this year in Toronto, Canada. An attorney for Vanessa Miles filed the lawsuit on July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, arguing that Miles is entitled to $75 million in damages. On Feb. 17, 2025, more than 20 people were injured after flight 4819, which took off from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, flipped upside down while landing at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Two flight crew members, two cabin crew members and 76 passengers were on the flight. Miles was a passenger and was traveling to Toronto for future work assignments at the time of the crash, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that Delta and Endeavor Air "cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs and knowingly putting passengers at risk with inexperienced flight crew." CBS News Detroit reached out to Delta for comment on the lawsuit. The airline declined to comment and said it "continues to support the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's ongoing investigation." The board confirmed that it is still investigating and referred CBS News Detroit to its webpage dedicated to the investigation. Days after the crash, Delta released information about the crew on the flight, denying claims that the captain and first officer had failed training events were false. The company said both crew members were Federal Aviation Administration-certified. According to the lawsuit, Miles suffered injuries and lost consciousness, finding herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke when she regained consciousness. The lawsuit said that because the aircraft was upside down, Miles fell to the ceiling when she unbuckled her seat belt. Her injuries became worse when she attempted to exit the plane and fell roughly 6 to 7 feet to the ground due to emergency slides not being activated. A preliminary report released on March 20 by the safety board found that as the plane was attempting to land, a piece of the landing gear called the side-stay fractured, causing the gear to retract and the right wing to separate from the fuselage. The report said that jet fuel was released and caused a fire. The report said that many passengers suffered injuries after they unbuckled their seat belts, but it was not aware of any failures of the safety belts. The report also found that an emergency locator transmitter — a device that sends distress signals — was armed but did not activate at the time of the accident. The board said the transmitter was sent to the TSB Engineering Laboratory.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Flight attendant sues Delta for US$75M over upside-down plane crash in Toronto
Vanessa Miles blames 'inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot' and 'a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency' Emergency crews surround a Delta Air Lines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by Peter J. Thompson / National Post An off-duty flight attendant who helped passengers escape and suffered her own injuries during a fiery upside-down crash of a Delta Air Lines flight at Toronto's Pearson International Airport has filed a US$75-million lawsuit against the airline. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 15-page suit, filed last week in Michigan by Vanessa Miles, claims: 'This accident was caused, at least in part, by Defendants knowingly assigning an inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight, demonstrating a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency.' It adds that the airline 'cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs.' It goes on to list of number of alleged failures, including 'Failure to ensure proper functioning of critical emergency evacuation equipment; Failure to properly train flight crew on emergency evacuation procedures; Absence of any emergency announcements or guidance during evacuation; Failure to properly maintain the aircraft's landing gear and related systems; Failure to provide prompt medical assistance following the crash; and Failure to have adequate emergency response procedures in place.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In response to a query from National Post, Delta noted that the captain was hired in 2007 and 'has served both as an active duty Captain and in pilot training and flight safety capacities. Assertions that he failed training events are false. Assertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false.' It added that the first officer was hired last year 'and completed training in April 2024. Her flight experience exceeded the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations. Assertions that she failed training events are false. Both crew members are qualified and FAA certified for their positions.' It added: 'We will decline further comment given this is pending litigation and also because of the ongoing TSB (Transportation Safety Board) of Canada investigation, to which Endeavor Air and Delta remain engaged participants.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The lawsuit notes that Miles, aged 67, was a passenger on Endeavor Air Flight 4819, operating under the Delta Connection brand, which departed from Minneapolis on Feb. 17 and was scheduled to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Although she was employed by Endeavor as a flight attendant, she was 'deadheading' at the time, 'meaning she was traveling as a passenger to position herself for future work assignments.' The crash happened when the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft bounced and rolled on landing at the Toronto airport, ending up on its roof. A wing was ripped off and a fire broke out. All 80 passengers and crew survived, although more than 20 people were taken to hospital. The lawsuit says Miles was rendered unconscious while hanging upside down from her seatbelt after the plane came to a stop. When she awoke she 'found herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke, putting her at grave risk for chemical burns, asphyxiation, and death.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The suit says she suffered 'severe and permanent injuries, including … fractured left shoulder/scapula, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome with headaches, dizziness, and other cognitive difficulties, bilateral knee injuries, back injuries, exposure to jet fuel and toxic fumes, and psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.' In April, Miles was one of four recipients of the C.B. Lansing Memorial Award, given by the Association of Flight Attendants 'to an AFA member who displays heroism beyond the call of duty in aviation.' The award was established in memory of Clarabelle Lansing, a flight attendant who was killed in 1988 when the flight on which she was working suffered an explosive decompression over Hawaii. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The organization notes that the award is 'the highest honor a member may bestow upon a fellow member.' It was given to Hollie Gallagher and Rebecca Palazzola, the flight attendants working on the downed aircraft, and to Miles and Alita Parker, 'deadheading Endeavor flying partners who assisted.' The resting locations of the fuselage, right wing, and tail section, and aircraft marks left in the snow when a Delta Air Lines plane crashed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released in March does not disclose a specific cause for the crash, but it does mention that two additional airline employees who were on the flight as passengers helped evacuate the rear of the cabin. Madeline Sinkovich, one of Miles' lawyers, told the Post: 'Our complaint alleges that basic safeguards, training, and evacuation procedures failed — and that corporate decisions put cost and schedule ahead of safety. The case proceeds under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for passenger injuries arising from onboard accidents. Ms. Miles continues to recover from significant injuries; we respect the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's important work and will pursue full accountability in court.' The final report by the Transportation Safety Board is expected next year. According to the CBC, there are at least 16 additional lawsuits that have been filed by passengers related to the incident. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here. Columnists Celebrity Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Flight attendant on plane that flipped over in Toronto sues Delta for $75M, claims pilots and crew were unqualified
Flight attendant Vanessa Miles filed a lawsuit alleging that Delta cut corners in several areas leading to a February plane crash in Toronto. A flight attendant for Delta subsidiary Endeavor, who was a passenger on the fateful February flight from Minneapolis to Toronto that capsized on the tarmac, is suing her employee for $75 million, alleging that the airline was reckless and negligent and essentially put everybody on the flight at risk from the beginning, according to People. According to the lawsuit filed by Vanessa Miles in the Eastern District of Michigan, 'This accident was caused, at least in part, by Defendants knowing assigning an inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight. Defendants cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs and knowingly putting passengers at risk with inexperienced flight crew.' Miles claims that she suffered several injuries, both severe and permanent physical and mental injuries, 'including a fractured shoulder, traumatic brain injury, back injuries, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, among other things.' She is suing Delta for $75 million dollars. According to her lawyer, Madeline Sinkovich, an attorney with Mike Morse Law Firm, 'Ms. Miles suffered significant injuries when Delta Air Lines/Endeavor Air Flight 4819 crash-landed in Toronto after preventable safety, training, and evacuation failures, as alleged in our complaint. We are pursuing full accountability and compensation in court.' Miles alleges that she was left unconscious as a result of the plane crash, and when she came to, she was inverted, hanging upside down soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke before falling to the floor after she unbuckled her seat belt. The February 17 plane crash occurred on an Endeavor flight from Minneapolis to Toronto. In a March report issued by Canada's Transportation Safety Board, the plane descended too quickly; when the plane hit the tarmac, the landing gear collapsed, leading to the plane flipping over. All 80 people on board were evacuated and survived the crash; all injured parties were transported to local hospitals. The Daily Mail reports that the captain, thus far unidentified, is an 18-year veteran of Endeavor Air, having flown for a total of over 3,570 hours across his career; he is also a training instructor. The co-pilot was a one-year employee of Endeavor who had flown 1,422 hours over her career. Delta released a statement at the time of the crash saying, '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.' A Delta spokesperson declined to comment on Miles' lawsuit, citing their policy not to comment on pending legislation but, according to the New York Post, supports Canada's continued investigation efforts. More must-reads: 5 soldiers shot at Army's Fort Stewart in Georgia, base reports Diddy seeks presidential pardon from Trump ahead of sentencing in federal case Titan submersible disaster CEO could have been charged criminally if he survived, Coast Guard says Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Detroit woman sues Delta Air Lines and Endeavour Air for $75 million after horrific crash landing in Toronto
A Detroit (Michigan) woman has filed a $75 million lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and its regional subsidiary, Endeavour Air, following a terrifying crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport that left the aircraft overturned on the runway. The plaintiff, Vanessa Miles, is a Delta flight attendant who was off-duty and travelling as a passenger aboard Endeavour Air Flight 4819 on February 17, 2025. According to The Metro Detroit News, Miles is suing the airline giants in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleging gross negligence, safety failures, and emotional trauma resulting from the crash. Flight ended in chaos after a violent landing attempt Flight 4819, operated by Endeavour Air under the Delta Connection brand, had departed from Minneapolis and was en route to Toronto. According to the lawsuit filed by the Mike Morse Law Firm, the aircraft approached the runway at an unsafe speed and landed with such force that it violently bounced, lost control, and eventually flipped upside down. The plane, carrying 80 people, came to rest on its roof. All passengers survived, but at least 21 individuals sustained injuries. Miles, who was seated in the main cabin, was knocked unconscious during the impact. Jet fuel, smoke, and panic inside the overturned cabin Miles regained consciousness hanging upside down from her seatbelt, her body soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by thick smoke, the lawsuit states. Upon unbuckling, she fell headfirst onto the ceiling of the overturned plane. The emergency slides reportedly failed to deploy, and no audible instructions or guidance came from the flight crew during the aftermath of the crash. Left to fend for herself, Miles jumped nearly 7 feet from the overturned aircraft to the icy tarmac. The outside temperature was around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and the lawsuit claims she remained exposed to the elements for nearly an hour before medical help arrived. Multiple injuries and lasting trauma Miles was transported to Humber River Health in Toronto, where she was treated for a fractured shoulder, a traumatic brain injury, and injuries to her knees and back. According to the complaint, she also suffered significant chemical exposure from the jet fuel and continues to experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The lawsuit states that the physical and emotional aftermath has dramatically affected her life and ability to work. Miles, who had previously worked in aviation, is now unable to return to duty due to the ongoing impact of her injuries. Allegations of negligence and safety shortcuts The suit accuses both Delta and Endeavour of a series of critical failures. It alleges the airlines knowingly assigned an underqualified and inadequately trained pilot to the flight, rushed training programmes, and ignored safety alerts prior to the incident. In addition, the lawsuit points to the malfunctioning emergency equipment as evidence of poor aircraft maintenance. It claims the airline prioritised cost-saving over safety, creating what the legal team describes as a chain reaction of reckless decisions that led to the crash. Lawsuit calls out corporate safety culture The complaint sharply criticises Delta's corporate practices, accusing the airline of fostering a culture where cutting corners was more important than ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. The suit seeks $75 million in damages to compensate for Miles' physical injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term medical needs. As of now, neither Delta Air Lines nor Endeavour Air has issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit. Investigations into the crash by aviation authorities in both Canada and the United States are ongoing. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Flight attendant sues Delta for US$75M over upside-down plane crash in Toronto
An off-duty flight attendant who helped passengers escape and suffered her own injuries during a fiery upside-down crash of a Delta Air Lines flight at Toronto's Pearson International Airport has filed a US$75-million lawsuit against the airline. The 15-page suit, filed last week in Michigan by Vanessa Miles, claims: 'This accident was caused, at least in part, by Defendants knowingly assigning an inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight, demonstrating a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency.' It adds that the airline 'cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. It goes on to list of number of alleged failures, including 'Failure to ensure proper functioning of critical emergency evacuation equipment; Failure to properly train flight crew on emergency evacuation procedures; Absence of any emergency announcements or guidance during evacuation; Failure to properly maintain the aircraft's landing gear and related systems; Failure to provide prompt medical assistance following the crash; and Failure to have adequate emergency response procedures in place.' In response to a query from National Post, Delta noted that the captain was hired in 2007 and 'has served both as an active duty Captain and in pilot training and flight safety capacities. Assertions that he failed training events are false. Assertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false.' It added that the first officer was hired last year 'and completed training in April 2024. Her flight experience exceeded the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations. Assertions that she failed training events are false. Both crew members are qualified and FAA certified for their positions.' It added: 'We will decline further comment given this is pending litigation and also because of the ongoing TSB (Transportation Safety Board) of Canada investigation, to which Endeavor Air and Delta remain engaged participants.' The lawsuit notes that Miles, aged 67, was a passenger on Endeavor Air Flight 4819, operating under the Delta Connection brand, which departed from Minneapolis on Feb. 17 and was scheduled to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Although she was employed by Endeavor as a flight attendant, she was 'deadheading' at the time, 'meaning she was traveling as a passenger to position herself for future work assignments.' The crash happened when the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft bounced and rolled on landing at the Toronto airport, ending up on its roof. A wing was ripped off and a fire broke out. All 80 passengers and crew survived, although more than 20 people were taken to hospital. The lawsuit says Miles was rendered unconscious while hanging upside down from her seatbelt after the plane came to a stop. When she awoke she 'found herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke, putting her at grave risk for chemical burns, asphyxiation, and death.' The suit says she suffered 'severe and permanent injuries, including … fractured left shoulder/scapula, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome with headaches, dizziness, and other cognitive difficulties, bilateral knee injuries, back injuries, exposure to jet fuel and toxic fumes, and psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.' In April, Miles was one of four recipients of the C.B. Lansing Memorial Award, given by the Association of Flight Attendants 'to an AFA member who displays heroism beyond the call of duty in aviation.' The award was established in memory of Clarabelle Lansing, a flight attendant who was killed in 1988 when the flight on which she was working suffered an explosive decompression over Hawaii. The organization notes that the award is 'the highest honor a member may bestow upon a fellow member.' It was given to Hollie Gallagher and Rebecca Palazzola, the flight attendants working on the downed aircraft, and to Miles and Alita Parker, 'deadheading Endeavor flying partners who assisted.' A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released in March does not disclose a specific cause for the crash, but it does mention that two additional airline employees who were on the flight as passengers helped evacuate the rear of the cabin. Madeline Sinkovich, one of Miles' lawyers, told the Post: 'Our complaint alleges that basic safeguards, training, and evacuation procedures failed — and that corporate decisions put cost and schedule ahead of safety. The case proceeds under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for passenger injuries arising from onboard accidents. Ms. Miles continues to recover from significant injuries; we respect the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's important work and will pursue full accountability in court.' The final report by the Transportation Safety Board is expected next year. According to the CBC , there are at least 16 additional lawsuits that have been filed by passengers related to the incident. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
