Passengers on a Delta Airlines flight that unexpectedly rolled over at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport are being well compensated, with the airline offering $30,000 per individual in an effort to stifle the consequences of the horrific incident. The plane had only landed and was taxiing towards the terminal when the surprise tragedy struck, flipping the aircraft onto its side, scaring the passengers with fear, and grasping at whatever was available in a bid to save their lives.
The tragedy happened when Flight DL-589, which had arrived from New York, was in its final descent to Pearson Airport. Witnesses have told of the situation as chaotic, with a number of passengers unaware of what was happening as the plane suddenly lurched in a perilous way. Authorities moved swiftly, and emergency responders were able to evacuate all passengers without cause for serious concern. However, the harrowing experience left the majority on board severely traumatized, and this brought widespread media coverage and increased scrutiny of the airline’s safety measures.
In an unprecedented step, Delta Airlines has acted quickly by providing a $30,000 compensation to all the passengers who were on board, irrespective of whether they had any physical harm. The airline, in a public apology, accepted the inconvenience caused to the passengers, owning up to the distress. Delta also reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and promised a thorough investigation into the failure cause. Although the actual cause of the incident is yet to be determined; preliminary reports say the landing gears of the plane may have been faulty and resulted in the tilt of the plane.
Aside from the monetary compensation, Delta has assured full medical care to any passengers necessitating follow-up treatment. The airline has also ensured it is in close consultation with aviation authorities to determine any possible flaws that could have led to the incident and ensure future similar incidents are avoided. The airline’s speedy response has been commended by some, though others suggest the amount of compensation may not fully compensate for the psychological impact on passengers, several of whom are said to be seeking counseling over the incident.
Meanwhile, distraught passengers have given a mixed response. Some have welcomed relief that they had escaped harm, while others have been left traumatized by what happened. A number of passengers have posted their traumatic experiences on social media, describing how some reported they thought they were going to die when the plane violently tilted. In many cases, the $30,000 that has been offered is a gesture of goodwill seen as necessary, but whether this will mitigate the emotional trauma still needs to be seen.
As the probe goes on and more information surfaces, this case is a bitter reminder of the capricious dangers of flight, even during the age of sophisticated aviation technology. The ramifications of this episode will most certainly have far-reaching effects on aviation safety protocols and compensation policies, particularly in light of high-visibility incidents which tend to stir public interest.
