Passengers and crew survive plane crash at Toronto Pearson Airport
A Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed and overturned while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson Airport, leaving all 80 passengers and crew on board alive, though some sustained injuries. Emergency services reported that three individuals, a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s were critically injured, while 18 others were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred at approximately 14:15 ET (19:15 GMT) on Monday when Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operated by its subsidiary Endeavor Air, arrived from Minneapolis. The aircraft, a CRJ900, was seen flipped upside down on the snow-covered tarmac, missing at least one wing. Social media footage captured the moment passengers climbed out of the overturned plane as fire crews doused it with foam.
Toronto Pearson Airport CEO Deborah Flint expressed relief that there were no fatalities, calling the emergency response “textbook” and crediting the quick actions of first responders for preventing a worse outcome. The Ontario air ambulance service Ornge dispatched three helicopters and two land ambulances to assist at the scene.
Following the crash, airport authorities temporarily closed operations, resuming arrivals and departures around 17:00 local time. However, two runways will remain closed for several days as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigates the cause of the accident. Passengers have been advised to expect flight delays and cancellations as a result.
Initial reports indicated that weather conditions may have contributed to the crash. Toronto Pearson had been experiencing severe winter weather in the days leading up to the incident, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures affecting operations.
The airport had earlier warned of frigid conditions and strong winds moving into the area. However, Toronto Pearson fire chief Todd Aitken stated that, at the time of the crash, the runway was dry and there were no significant crosswinds, contradicting earlier reports of gusts exceeding 64 km/h (40 mph).
Passengers aboard the flight recounted the terrifying experience. One traveler captured a video outside the aircraft, stating that they had crash-landed, flipped over, and were being evacuated. Footage showed airport staff assisting passengers out of the plane’s doors, some of whom were seen running from the wreckage.
The incident caused major disruptions at the airport, with several flights delayed or canceled. Some travelers, including James and Andrea Turner, found themselves stranded in Toronto due to cancellations, with no alternative flights available until later in the week. The Turners were initially scheduled to board the very plane that crashed, but their flight had already been postponed twice due to adverse weather conditions.
Government officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, expressed gratitude to first responders and offered support.
The crash marks the fourth significant aviation incident in North America within the past month, including a mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives. With investigations underway, officials will seek to determine the exact cause of the Toronto Pearson crash and whether weather conditions played a role in the accident.