Winds were gusting to 35 knots and the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) did not activate when an Endeavour Air (dba Delta Connection) Bombardier CRJ-900LR crashed on February 17 at Toronto Pearson Airport (CYYZ), according to a preliminary report issued yesterday by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

The report includes data retrieved from the aircraft’s flight data recorder, along with weather information issued before and after the occurrence. It also provides details on the post-impact condition of the aircraft, including structural damage and engine status, and summarizes the emergency response and evacuation. A video featuring the investigator-in-charge has been released to offer a firsthand update on the investigation’s progress.

While landing on Runway 23, the right main landing gear of the Endeavor Air CRJ (dba Delta Connection) fractured, causing the landing gear to collapse and the wing root to detach from the fuselage when the wing struck the ground. The wing separated, releasing jet fuel that ignited a fire. After the aircraft inverted and slid along Runway 23, it came to rest inverted near the intersection of Runway 23 and Runway 15L.

The right wing detached completely and slid about 215 feet further along the runway. Two flight crewmembers, two cabin crewmembers, and 76 passengers were on the flight.

According to the report, “Although the emergency locator transmitter was armed, it did not activate during the accident sequence.”

Following the accident, passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft. The right forward door and one right emergency exit window were used for evacuation. With the cockpit door jammed, the pilots had to exit through the emergency hatch in the cockpit ceiling, but only with the assistance of passengers since the hatch was partially blocked as the aircraft laid upside down. Twenty-one of the 80 occupants sustained injuries, with two suffering serious injuries.

According to the report, the approach to Runway 23 was conducted at an increased airspeed of 149 knots due to gusty wind conditions. At 500 feet agl, the autopilot was disconnected. At 153 feet agl, a wind gust caused the airspeed to increase, leading the pilot flying to reduce engine thrust from 64% to approximately 43% N1, where it remained until touchdown.

As the aircraft descended, the rate of descent increased, triggering an enhanced ground proximity warning system “sink rate” alert.

Investigators have conducted preliminary interviews and recovered data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), flight data recorder (FDR), and other electronic components, which are being analyzed at the TSB Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa. The aircraft wreckage has been moved to a hangar at CYYZ for further examination.

The TSB continues to work with representatives from the NTSB, FAA, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), NAV CANADA, and aircraft and engine manufacturers. For the investigation, the field phase remains ongoing, and the TSB has released the runway back to the GTAA for cleanup and resumption of operations.

“Information in the preliminary report may change as the investigation continues, and new facts may emerge,” the TSB stated. A full investigation report, including a detailed analysis and formal findings, will be released at a later stage. Immediate action will be taken, the TSB emphasized, if significant safety deficiencies are identified during the investigation.