A Delta Airlines flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon, flipping onto its roof upon impact. The incident, which occurred amid snowy and windy conditions, left several passengers injured. Fortunately, all 80 people on board survived, and an investigation is now underway to determine what went wrong.
The Crash: A Terrifying Landing
Delta Flight 4819, a Bombardier CRJ-900, was en route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, when it attempted to land in Toronto at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time. The plane touched down on a snow-covered runway but lost control, ultimately flipping upside down.
Passengers described the moment of impact as sudden and intense. John Nelson, one of those on board, recalled the crash as "incredibly fast," with no prior warning. "There was a giant firewall down the side. I could feel the heat through the glass," he said. Another passenger, Peter Koukov, described how they were left suspended upside down in their seatbelts, "like bats."
Emergency responders arrived quickly, with video footage showing passengers and crew members scrambling out of the overturned aircraft as smoke billowed from the wreckage. A medical helicopter pilot, responding to the scene, confirmed the severity of the crash, reporting: "The aircraft is upside down and burning."
Another angle. pic.twitter.com/TjnQOPzBmr
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Injuries and Emergency Response
All 80 people on board—76 passengers and four crew members—were safely evacuated. Twenty-one individuals were transported to hospitals, but most suffered minor injuries such as back sprains and headaches. Three passengers—a man in his 60s, a woman in her 40s, and a child—were reported to have sustained critical but non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency personnel reached the aircraft within minutes, and their swift response was praised by Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken. "The response went as planned," he stated, confirming that the runway was dry at the time of the crash and that crosswinds were not considered a factor.
Experts have also credited the aircraft’s "crashworthiness"—safety features designed to protect passengers during a crash—for preventing fatalities. Graham Braithwaite, director of aerospace and aviation at Cranfield University, noted that well-secured seats and lap belts played a crucial role in keeping passengers safe.
Investigating the Cause: What Went Wrong?
The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched a full investigation.
Weather conditions at the time were challenging, with snow blowing across the runway and wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph (~65 kph). While the Bombardier CRJ-900 is designed to handle crosswinds of up to 35 knots, aviation experts suggest that a combination of snow, ice, and gusty winds may have played a role in destabilising the landing.
John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems and an aviation safety consultant, pointed out that while pilots are trained to handle adverse weather conditions, landing in such conditions remains challenging. "If they hit a solid patch of compressed snow or ice on that runway, combined with a strong crosswind, it could absolutely throw them off course," he explained.
Another concerning factor was that the right wing of the aircraft appeared to be missing after the crash. Cox suggested that if the wing detached upon impact, it could have contributed to the plane flipping over. Investigators will rely on the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recordings to piece together the final moments before the crash.
Reactions from Officials and Airlines
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary ground stop at Toronto Pearson, resuming flights at 5 p.m. local time.
Canadian Transport Minister Anita Anand stated that she is "closely following the serious incident." Meanwhile, Delta Airlines released a statement confirming that there were no fatalities and that their "primary focus is taking care of those impacted."
Delta CEO Ed Bastian also expressed his gratitude to first responders: "The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected. I want to thank the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ontario Premier Doug Ford both acknowledged the incident, offering support to those involved. "I’m relieved to learn that all passengers and crew are accounted for after today’s plane crash at Toronto Pearson," said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. "Thank you to the first responders, crew, and airport staff for their quick actions."
A Rare and Shocking Aviation Accident
Air France Flight 358 crash in 2005
Monday’s crash marks one of the most serious aviation incidents at Toronto Pearson since 2005, when an Air France Airbus A340 skidded off the runway and caught fire. However, it also comes amid a worrying trend of aviation accidents in North America. In the past three weeks alone, there have been multiple major crashes, including a midair collision near Washington, D.C., and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia.
Read: US Confronts Aviation Disasters After Three Crashes In Just Seven Days
Despite these incidents, experts emphasise that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Aviation safety consultant John Cox reiterated that the CRJ-900 is a well-tested and reliable aircraft and that it is "highly unusual" for a plane to flip over during landing. The ongoing investigation will aim to determine if mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental conditions played a decisive role in this near-tragic accident.
For now, authorities will continue their thorough examination of the wreckage, and passengers are left counting their blessings that this terrifying ordeal did not end in disaster.
Fortunately, everyone on board survived the crash, as the outcome could have been far worse. In 2025 alone, the National Transportation Safety Board reported a total of 87 aviation incidents, 13 of which were fatal. While air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, safety protocols continue to evolve, especially as some aircraft in operation have been in service for over two decades. Ensuring strict regulations and ongoing improvements is crucial for passenger safety.
Read: Muan Airport Tragedy: Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 Crash Sparks Urgent Aviation Safety Review
As we move forward in 2025, let's hope for a safer year in aviation and continued advancements in airline and airport safety, particularly in light of incidents like the Jeju Air disaster.
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*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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