A Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed and overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday afternoon, yet miraculously, all 80 people on board survived. Emergency responders praised the quick and effective rescue efforts, ensuring that injuries were minimized despite the severity of the incident.
Deborah Flint, the president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, confirmed that the crash involved Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, arriving from Minneapolis. Of the 80 individuals on board, 76 were passengers, while four were crew members. Eighteen passengers sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital, including a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s who were critically injured.
Social media images and videos from the scene showed the CRJ900 aircraft flipped upside down on the tarmac, missing at least one wing. Footage captured passengers evacuating through emergency exits while fire crews sprayed foam on the aircraft. One passenger, recording from outside the wreckage, stated, “Our plane crashed, it’s upside down. Most people appear to be OK.”
Toronto Pearson Airport’s emergency response teams acted swiftly. Fire chief Todd Aitken initially stated that the runway was dry with no crosswinds, contradicting earlier reports of wind gusts reaching 64 km/h (40 mph). The airport had been dealing with weather-related challenges for several days, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures affecting flights.
Authorities, including the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB), have launched an investigation into the crash. Two runways will remain closed for several days, causing delays and cancellations. Many passengers have been stranded in Toronto due to the incident, struggling to find alternative flights.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford assured that provincial authorities were in touch with local officials and ready to assist. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also expressed gratitude to the first responders at the scene.
This crash marks the fourth major aviation incident in North America in the past month. Among them was a tragic mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives. While aviation accidents remain rare, the string of recent incidents has raised concerns over safety and operational challenges in extreme weather conditions.
Despite the chaos, the swift emergency response at Toronto Pearson Airport prevented loss of life, a testament to the efficiency and preparedness of the airport’s rescue teams.
