In Video: This Morning’s Top Headlines – Feb. 18 | Morning News NOW
Breaking News: Toronto Plane Crash Leaves 18 Injured, Investigation Underway
A devastating plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport yesterday afternoon has left at least 18 people injured. Delta Flight 4819, arriving from Minneapolis, flipped upside down while landing, causing chaos and panic among passengers. The incident has raised questions about the cause of the crash, with winds reported to be blowing at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph during the time of the crash.
The plane, a Bombardier CRJ 900 regional jet, was carrying 80 people, including 76 passengers and four crew members. Miraculously, all passengers and crew members were able to escape through emergency exits, with some reporting minor injuries.
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has launched an investigation, with both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) assisting. The FBI is also on the scene to help with the investigation.
"It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before," said a passenger who was on the plane. "I was walking to the fence and I could see the plane was flipped. I saw people being carried out on stretchers, some with slings on their arms, and others who were just visibly shaken.
Experts were quick to point out that it is rare for a plane to flip over while landing, and the cause of the crash is still unknown. "It’s a very unusual and extreme situation," said John Cox, NBC News aviation analyst. "We’ll have to review the data and look at the weather conditions to determine what happened."
Trump Administration Sued over Firing of Watchdog
In related news, the Trump administration is facing a lawsuit over the firing of Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, a watchdog agency. Dellinger was fired via email earlier this month, but a federal judge has ordered his reinstatement during the ongoing legal proceedings. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, citing a 2020 Supreme Court decision that struck down a similar provision for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If the administration is successful, it could weaken the protections for whistleblowers and government watchdogs.
The administration argues that it has the authority to fire Dellinger without cause, citing the 2020 Supreme Court ruling. However, critics are calling the move an attempt to undermine the independence of the Office of Special Counsel.
The case is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
Transgender Troops Banned from Military
In other news, the Trump administration’s executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military is set to face a court hearing today. The order, which was issued in 2017, has been met with widespread criticism and legal challenges.
The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to impose a preliminary injunction, which would block the ban. The court will also consider the constitutionality of the ban and whether it causes injury to transgender individuals.
The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the LGBTQ+ community and the military workforce.
