TORONTO, Feb 17 – A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, resulting in injuries to 18 individuals aboard the aircraft. The incident occurred during turbulent weather conditions following a heavy snowstorm, authorities confirmed.
Flight DL4819, traveling from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, carried 80 passengers and crew members at the time of the accident. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene and transported three critically injured individuals—one of whom was a child—to medical facilities for urgent treatment. Fifteen others also sustained injuries and were taken to local hospitals, though some have since been released, according to an official statement from Delta Air Lines.
Aircraft Details and Structural Damage
The aircraft involved in the incident was a CRJ900, operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta. Manufactured by Bombardier, the 16-year-old jet is designed to accommodate up to 90 passengers. Witnesses reported severe damage to the plane, with footage from the scene showing at least one of its wings completely detached from the fuselage.
Eyewitness Accounts and Passenger Experience
One passenger, John Nelson, shared his experience on social media, posting a video that depicted the aftermath of the crash. The video showed emergency crews dousing the overturned aircraft with water as it lay on the snow-covered tarmac.
In an interview, Nelson described the moments leading up to the crash. “Everything seemed normal until we touched the ground,” he said. “Out of nowhere, the plane started skidding sideways, and before we knew it, we had flipped over.”
Nelson managed to unbuckle his seatbelt and assist others who were trapped. “Some people needed help getting down, while others were able to get out on their own,” he added.
Challenging Weather Conditions During Landing
Weather reports indicated strong gusts and blowing snow at the time of the accident. Toronto Pearson Airport had been dealing with heavy snowfall over the weekend, accumulating more than eight inches of snow. Flight tracking data confirmed that the aircraft landed at 2:13 p.m. after an 86-minute journey, coming to rest near the intersection of runways 23 and 15.
Although officials initially stated that the runway was dry and free of hazardous crosswinds, several pilots who reviewed footage of the incident disagreed, citing gusty conditions. Aviation expert John Cox noted that wind speeds averaged 19 knots (22 mph) at the time, with gusts likely fluctuating. He explained that such conditions require pilots to make continuous adjustments during landing.
“The pilots would have had to manage airspeed, altitude, and lateral stability all at once,” Cox said. “That’s a standard procedure, but strong gusts can add to the challenge.”
Investigation Underway
Canadian aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Analysts will be focusing on why the right wing detached and how the aircraft flipped over upon landing.
Michael J. McCormick, an aviation expert and professor of air traffic management, remarked that an aircraft overturning upon landing is highly unusual. “The fact that all 80 people survived such an event highlights the advances in aviation safety, engineering, and emergency response protocols,” he said.
While rare, similar incidents have occurred in the past. Several cases involving McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft have been documented, including a 2009 crash in Tokyo that resulted in two fatalities. Other occurrences in Hong Kong (1999) and Newark (1997) involved aircraft flipping over on landing, though those incidents had fewer casualties.
Impact on Airport Operations
Following the crash, Toronto Pearson Airport experienced temporary flight disruptions, though operations have since resumed. However, airport officials have warned of continued delays while investigators examine the site.
Deborah Flint, the airport’s president, credited the swift response of emergency teams for preventing any fatalities. “Thanks to the efforts of our first responders, we are grateful that there were no lives lost,” she stated during a press briefing.
Both Canadian and U.S. aviation safety agencies are collaborating on the investigation. In line with global aviation protocols, a preliminary report on the incident is expected within 30 days.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which acquired Bombardier’s CRJ aircraft program in 2020, has pledged full cooperation with authorities.
A String of Recent Air Incidents
The Toronto crash follows a series of recent air accidents in North America. In Washington, D.C., an Army helicopter collided with a CRJ-700 jet, resulting in the deaths of 67 people. In separate incidents, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing at least seven, while another plane crash in Alaska claimed ten lives.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of aviation safety measures, particularly during challenging weather conditions, as they work to determine the cause of this latest incident.