The CRJ-900 Crash: 5 Shocking Details About The Pilots Of Delta Connection Flight 4819

The catastrophic crash of Delta Connection Flight 4819 in Toronto on February 17, 2025, sent shockwaves across the aviation world and ignited a firestorm of speculation online. This article, updated with the latest information as of December 18, 2025, cuts through the unverified claims to provide the definitive facts about the pilots, their roles, and the official preliminary findings from the Canada Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigation, A25O0021.

The incident involved a Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jet, operated by Endeavor Air, which crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), flipping upside down and injuring 21 of the 80 people on board. The intense public scrutiny immediately focused on the flight crew, whose experience and decision-making during the challenging landing conditions became the central point of controversy and rumor. The investigation aims to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the hard landing and subsequent collapse of the landing gear.

Unverified Pilot Profiles: Captain and First Officer of DL4819

While Delta Air Lines and the TSB have not officially released the pilots’ names, the identities of the flight crew have been widely circulated across social media and various news outlets. These unverified reports name the two individuals in the cockpit and have fueled much of the public debate surrounding the crash.

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• Captain: James Henneman (Unverified)
  • Role on Flight: Pilot Monitoring (PM)
  • Company: Endeavor Air / Delta Connection
  • Reported Experience: Alleged to have over 17 years of experience with Endeavor Air.
  • Additional Role: Reportedly served as a Simulator Instructor for Endeavor Air.
  • Controversy: Unconfirmed reports suggest he had previously been unsuccessful in his attempt to "flow up" and become a First Officer directly at Delta Air Lines in 2022, a claim Delta has pushed back against as part of "online rumors."
• First Officer: Kendal Swanson (Unverified)
  • Role on Flight: Pilot Flying (PF)
  • Company: Endeavor Air / Delta Connection
  • Reported Age/Experience: Allegedly 26 years old and described in unverified reports as a "brand new Endeavor Air hire" or "recently licensed."
  • Controversy: The decision for a junior First Officer to fly the landing (Pilot Flying) under severe weather conditions, while the Captain acted as Pilot Monitoring, has been a key point of public criticism.

Delta Air Lines has publicly stated that the crew was "experienced," attempting to quell the disinformation and rumors that have spread rapidly online, particularly those linking the crash to the pilots' qualifications or the airline's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

The TSB Preliminary Report: What Really Happened in the Cockpit

The Canada Transportation Safety Board (TSB) launched an official investigation (A25O0021) into the accident. Their preliminary report provides the first concrete, official data regarding the final moments of the flight, shifting the focus from rumors to technical findings.

The flight, operating from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), was cleared for an approach to Runway 23 at Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The conditions were challenging, with significant gusting crosswinds reported at the time.

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1. Pilot Flying (PF) vs. Pilot Monitoring (PM) Roles Confirmed

The TSB report officially confirmed the roles of the flight crew for the landing phase. The First Officer (FO) was designated as the Pilot Flying (PF), meaning they were actively manipulating the aircraft controls. The Captain was the Pilot Monitoring (PM), responsible for communications, checklists, and monitoring the flight instruments. This confirmation is critical, as it places the physical control of the aircraft during the critical landing phase in the hands of the less-experienced crew member.

2. The "Sink Rate" Warning: A Critical 2.6 Seconds

One of the most revealing details from the TSB’s preliminary data is the activation of the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). The TSB stated that the EGPWS sounded a "sink rate" alert just 2.6 seconds before the aircraft made its initial impact with the runway. A "sink rate" warning is an alert that the aircraft is descending too quickly. This suggests a rapid, uncontrolled descent in the final seconds of the approach, a strong indicator of potential pilot error in handling the difficult crosswind landing.

3. Hard Landing and Structural Failure

The primary mechanical cause of the inversion was a hard landing. The TSB determined that the aircraft impacted the runway with such force that it caused a landing gear component to fracture, leading to the collapse of the gear. Following the initial impact, a wing and the tail section separated as the aircraft skidded and eventually flipped upside down. The Bombardier CRJ-900 (Registration N932XJ), a 15-year-old regional jet, was severely damaged and written off as a total loss.

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4. The Unanswered Question of the Explosion

While the hard landing is the confirmed cause of the structural failure, the TSB report also noted an explosion outside the aircraft near the left wing following the initial impact. The cause of this explosion is yet to be determined, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation. This detail is crucial as the investigation moves beyond pilot-specific actions to examine potential systemic or mechanical factors.

5. Lawsuits and Compensation Follow the Tragedy

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight. However, this has not prevented legal action. Lawsuits have already been filed against Delta, with passengers alleging severe emotional distress and physical injury from the traumatic event. The TSB's final report will be vital in determining the ultimate liability and legal outcomes for the airline and the crew.

Topical Authority Entities & Keywords

The investigation into Delta Connection Flight 4819 continues to be a major focus for the aviation industry. Key entities and concepts central to this story include: Endeavor Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines; the Bombardier CRJ-900LR (CL-600-2D24) aircraft; Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ); the Canada Transportation Safety Board (TSB); TSB Investigation A25O0021; the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS); Pilot Flying (PF); Pilot Monitoring (PM); Hard Landing; Landing Gear Collapse; and the challenging conditions of Gusting Crosswinds. The final TSB report is expected to provide a comprehensive conclusion on the crew’s actions and the factors contributing to the catastrophic accident.