All 80 passengers and crew aboard a Delta Air Lines flight that crashed and overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport have survived, the airport’s chief executive confirmed.
Emergency Response and Injuries
Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, expressed relief that there was no loss of life.
“We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries,” she said.
According to emergency services, one child and two adults sustained critical injuries. The Ontario air ambulance service, Ornge, reported that three air ambulance helicopters and two land ambulances were dispatched. The critically injured individuals include a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s.
Details of the Crash
The aircraft involved was Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air. The CRJ900 aircraft was arriving from Minneapolis when it crashed at approximately 14:15 ET (19:15 GMT) on Monday. Social media images show the plane flipped on its roof, missing at least one wing, and lying on the snow-covered tarmac.
Toronto Pearson Airport confirmed that of the 80 people on board, 76 were passengers, and four were crew members. A total of 18 passengers were transported to the hospital.
Runway Conditions and Investigation
Initial reports suggested high winds at the time of the crash, with gusts exceeding 64 km/h (40 mph). However, Toronto Pearson fire chief Todd Aitken stated that early investigations indicated the runway was dry and there were no crosswind conditions.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team to investigate the incident. Two runways will remain closed for several days as part of the ongoing inquiry, leading to expected flight delays and disruptions.
Eyewitness Accounts and Passenger Experience
Video footage shared on social media captures passengers escaping from the overturned plane as fire crews spray it with foam. One passenger recorded a video moments after the crash, saying:
“We’re in Toronto, we just landed. Our plane crashed, it’s upside down. Most people appear to be OK. We’re all getting off, there’s some smoke going on.”
Several passengers reported flight cancellations and extended layovers due to the incident. James and Andrea Turner, whose flight was canceled, described the airport’s chaotic response:
“They got rid of everybody from customs to security and then put everybody back to the general area. The departures hall was packed as a result.”
Weather-Related Disruptions at Toronto Pearson Airport
Toronto Pearson had been experiencing significant weather-related delays leading up to the crash. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures had impacted flight schedules, with two major storms in recent days dumping 30-50 cm (11.8-19.6 inches) of snow across the city.
Earlier on Monday, the airport warned travelers of frigid temperatures and high winds, anticipating a busy day as airlines worked to recover from previous weather-related cancellations.
Recent Aviation Incidents in North America
The crash marks the fourth major aviation incident in North America within a month. One of the most devastating was a mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which resulted in 67 fatalities.
Ongoing Support and Reactions
Officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have extended their support to those affected. Ford confirmed that provincial authorities were in contact with the airport and emergency services to provide necessary assistance.
Toronto Pearson Airport has since resumed flight operations, although travelers should expect delays as investigations continue.