Unconfirmed reports link 26-year-old Kendal Michelle Swanson to a Delta/Endeavor plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.
The Bombardier CRJ900 jet landed upside-down, injuring 21 passengers. Social media speculation suggests Swanson piloted the flight, sparking debate as the Kendal Swanson plane crash investigation unfolds.
Swanson earned her Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification on January 9, 2025, per the FAA Airmen Certificate database. Despite her recent qualifications, she lacked the experience to serve as pilot-in-command. A year ago, she instructed on small propeller planes. Before the Kendal Swanson plane crash, she had only recently qualified to co-pilot small jets.
✈️ The Delta/Endeavor plane that crashed was piloted by Kendal Swanson.
A year ago, she was an instructor pilot for a small propellor aircraft. Recently licensed to co-pilot a small jet.
Captain, who had a questionable record himself, may have erred trusting her to land the… pic.twitter.com/d6chYkPRg6
— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) February 19, 2025Kendal Swanson Plane Crash
The CRJ900 landed in harsh weather—gusting crosswinds and blowing snow. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the pilots knew winter conditions well. Yet, the plane failed to perform a standard “flare” manoeuvre during descent. Experts question whether pilot error contributed. The crash left one passenger hospitalized, though all are expected to recover. Delta removed the aircraft from the runway on Wednesday and offered $30,000 goodwill payments to passengers, preserving their legal rights.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigates the Kendal Swanson plane crash. Recovered black box data points to weather as a factor. However, a fuller analysis will clarify the cause. Results are pending.
The people saying Kendal Swanson is a new hire FO still on OE are just flat wrong and spreading disinformation. If they bothered to do any research at all they will see that both he ATP and CFI certificates were issued on 1/9/25, indicating that she had a change of address and… pic.twitter.com/NYAfBfKjPf
— Mike Ham (@mikeham73) February 20, 2025The incident has ignited online discussion. Some users question if Endeavor Air’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies influenced Swanson’s hiring. Endeavour, a Delta regional carrier, promotes diversity, spotlighting all-female flights. While unconfirmed, this speculation adds complexity to the Kendal Swanson plane crash narrative.
As the TSB investigates, the focus remains on technical details and pilot actions. The Kendal Swanson plane crash has raised safety and hiring concerns. Updates will follow as evidence emerges.
