Winter Storms
Who decides when it's safe for flights to operate during bad weather conditions?
While airports have control over operations, the ultimate decision about flight safety during adverse weather conditions is determined by pilots and airlines. As former NTSB Air Safety Investigator Gregory Feith explains, even if an airport is attempting to catch up on delayed flights, it's the airlines and pilots who evaluate whether it is safe to operate at that airport. This assessment process creates a dual responsibility system where airports manage the operational aspects while flight crews make the final safety determinations based on their professional judgment of weather conditions and aircraft capabilities.
Watch clip answer (00:29m)
CBS News
26:55 - 27:25
What extreme weather conditions did Toronto Pearson Airport face recently?
From Thursday to Sunday, Toronto Pearson Airport experienced extreme weather conditions with two separate snowstorms occurring on Thursday and Sunday. These severe weather events resulted in more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) of accumulated snow at the airport. The consecutive snowstorms created significant operational challenges for the airport, leading to hundreds of canceled flights as mentioned in the description.
Watch clip answer (00:13m)
CBS News
03:33 - 03:47
What was the emergency response like after the Delta flight flipped upside down at Toronto International Airport?
The emergency response to the Delta flight incident was described as a 'textbook response' and a 'best case scenario' by CEO Deborah Flint. First responders were highly trained professionals who jumped into action on a moment's notice, arriving quickly on scene. Despite the severity of the situation—passengers hanging upside down like bats in the overturned aircraft—the emergency team's swift and effective actions helped manage what could have been a much worse outcome. Passengers sustained various injuries including spinal sprains, head injuries, and neck injuries, though none were reported as life-threatening.
Watch clip answer (01:03m)
CBS News
02:38 - 03:41
What weather conditions caused operational challenges at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Toronto Pearson Airport experienced extreme weather conditions with two separate snowstorms on Thursday and Sunday, which dumped more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) of accumulated snow. This unprecedented amount was more snow within that time window than the airport received during all of last winter. The severe weather led to numerous flight delays and cancellations across this part of Canada and the U.S. northeast, creating significant flight backlogs. These extreme conditions caused substantial operational challenges for the airport, affecting travel throughout the region.
Watch clip answer (00:32m)
CBS News
03:33 - 04:05
What was the weather situation during the Delta jet crash in Toronto?
According to the press conference, while Toronto had received significantly more snow than normal, the runways themselves were reported as clear at the time of the incident. Airport officials stated that the weather was clear during the landing, though there was snow accumulated on the sides of the runways. This snow accumulation may have actually helped firefighters responding to the incident, though officials did not speculate on exact causes, deferring to investigators as is standard protocol for aviation incidents.
Watch clip answer (00:48m)
ABC News
00:44 - 01:32
What is the current status of passengers from the Delta jet crash in Toronto?
All 80 passengers were able to evacuate the crashed Delta jet in Toronto. Of the 21 people who were injured in the incident, 19 have already been released from the hospital. Only two passengers remain under medical care, but fortunately their injuries are not considered life-threatening. The crash occurred amid challenging weather conditions, with Toronto experiencing two feet of snow leading up to the incident, which likely contributed to the runway conditions that affected the plane's landing.
Watch clip answer (00:05m)ABC News
02:19 - 02:25