‘Always leave your stuff’: How aviation learns from every plane crash – and what you need to know

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The aircraft knocked down the guard rail along the western side of Convair Drive and the fourth approach light tower.” So said the Transportation Safety Board of Canada after a crash at Toronto airport – not Monday’s accident involving a Delta Airlines plane, but an incident at the same hub two decades earlier. The accident report concludes: “Having made their decision to land, the crew members used all their energy to concentrate on this task and missed cues that should have warranted a review of that decision.” These “missed cues” are listed: The runway looked like a lake The aircraft deviated above the glide path The landing was going to be farther down the runway than usual The wind speed was reportedly increasing and the wind direction was changing Braking action was reported as poor Visibility became close to nil near the threshold The accident happened. “Although cabin crew shout to passengers to leave their carry-on baggage behind during emergency evacuations, this information is provided at a time when passengers are highly stressed and the noise level in the cabin is likely fairly high – not an optimal time for understanding or adhering to critical safety information. "The consequences could include impeding an orderly and timely evacuation, damaging an evacuation slide, and increasing the potential for injury.” open image in gallery Stricken Airbus A340 at Toronto as fire takes hold Plus ca change… footage of the Delta Airlines accident in Toronto shows some evacuated passengers clutching their cabin baggage.