Flight Attendant Procedures
Why did all passengers survive the Delta plane crash landing in Toronto?
All passengers survived the Delta plane crash landing in Toronto largely due to proper adherence to safety protocols. Flight attendants played a crucial role, evacuating everyone in a quick and organized manner. Passengers' compliance with safety instructions—wearing seatbelts and putting away items like laptops—was potentially life-saving. As CBS News correspondent Nikki Batiste emphasizes, this incident serves as a compelling reminder of why airline safety rules exist. Following flight attendant instructions isn't merely procedural but can be the difference between life and death in emergency situations. This crash landing demonstrates that safety protocols are designed with passenger survival as the priority.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
CBS News
01:53 - 02:14
What key factors contributed to everyone's survival in the regional jet emergency?
The miraculous survival of everyone aboard the regional jet was primarily attributed to the flight attendants who remained composed yet in charge during the emergency. Despite extremely difficult conditions in an inverted aircraft, they clearly communicated evacuation orders, ensuring passengers stayed seated until it was completely safe to evacuate - waiting approximately one minute before giving the command to exit. Aviation experts described it as a "textbook response" where flight attendants had to find openings, create evacuation paths, and effectively direct people to safety. The incident also highlighted the importance of rapid emergency response, with firefighting crews arriving on scene within the required three-minute window, demonstrating how well-executed safety protocols can save lives in aviation emergencies.
Watch clip answer (00:48m)
NBC News
00:00 - 00:49
What is the FAA requirement for airplane evacuation?
According to FAA requirements, a commercial aircraft must be completely evacuated within 90 seconds during an emergency. This strict timeline necessitates that flight attendants undergo weeks of intense training to handle the chaos of emergency situations effectively. Delta flight attendants, like those at other airlines, practice evacuation procedures repeatedly to ensure they can efficiently guide passengers off the aircraft as quickly as possible when necessary.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)NBC News
01:00 - 01:22
How rare are fatal commercial plane crashes?
According to an MIT study mentioned in the clip, fatal commercial plane crashes are extremely rare in global aviation. The statistics show that such incidents occur at a rate of just one in 13.7 million passenger boardings worldwide. This remarkably low frequency highlights the exceptional safety standards maintained in the commercial aviation industry. The rarity of fatal crashes demonstrates why air travel is considered one of the safest forms of transportation.
Watch clip answer (00:07m)NBC News
00:49 - 00:57
How have modern aircraft safety features improved compared to planes of the past?
Modern aircraft feature significantly enhanced safety features compared to older planes. They're constructed with tougher materials that better withstand crashes, with seats now able to endure up to 16 G-forces to keep passengers secure during impact events. Additionally, aircraft interiors are now manufactured with flame-retardant materials, which critically extends the evacuation window during fire emergencies. These advancements in materials and design give passengers valuable additional time to safely exit the aircraft in emergency situations, substantially improving survival rates during aviation incidents.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)NBC News
01:36 - 01:56
How common are fatal commercial plane crashes?
According to an MIT study mentioned in the clip, fatal commercial plane crashes are extremely rare, occurring at a rate of just one in 13.7 million passenger boardings globally. This remarkably low incidence highlights the exceptional safety of commercial air travel. The incident involving a regional jet in Toronto, where all passengers survived, further illustrates this point. Safety features in modern aircraft, combined with flight attendants' rigorous training and effective emergency protocols, contribute significantly to the high survival rates in the rare cases when accidents do occur.
Watch clip answer (00:07m)
NBC News
00:49 - 00:57