Delta Air Lines and its regional subsidiary Endeavor Air have defended two pilots against the spread of online disinformation after their experience was called into question on social media.
On February 20, 2025, Delta declared that it was “correcting disinformation” regarding two Endeavor Air pilots who were involved in a serious crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada.
The US-carrier said that social media posts have been spread “containing false and misleading assertions” about the relevant captain and first officer.
Posts seen by AeroTime suggested that one of the pilots had struggled through their training and was a “brand new” hire.
Delta detailed that the Endeavor Air captain was originally employed by Mesaba Airlines (which merged with Pinnacle Airlines in 2012 to form Endeavor Air) in October 2007.
Delta stated: “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.”
The airline explained that its employee served both as an active-duty captain as well as in pilot training and flight safety capacities.
Defending the first officer, Delta said that the individual became a pilot with Endeavor Air in January 2024 and that she completed her training three months later.
Delta said: “She has been flying for Endeavor since that time. Her flight experience exceeded the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations. Assertions that she failed training events are false.”
Delta added that both crew members are “qualified and FAA certified for their positions”.
The pilots were flying a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) on February 17, 2025.
As the Bombardier CRJ900, registered N932XJ, landed at YYZ, a serious incident occurred in which the aircraft briefly caught fire and ended upside down on the runway with the right wing severed.
All 76 passengers and four crew members were forced to undertake emergency evacuation from the aircraft.
