A Delta flight operated by Endeavor Air made a dramatic crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon, leaving onlookers and those onboard in shock. All 80 passengers aboard the Bombardier CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft survived the incident, although 18 individuals sustained injuries. The crash, which occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET, took place amid gusty winds and snowy conditions in Canada's largest city.
The aircraft was attempting to land on a dry runway with no crosswind conditions present at the time of the crash. However, winds reaching 32 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph were reported at the airport, significantly reducing visibility to five miles. Despite these challenging conditions, the plane landed, flipped upside down on the runway, and came to a stop. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is spearheading the investigation with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Delta Flight 4819 had departed from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport before its crash landing in Toronto. Passengers described the terrifying experience as the aircraft hit the ground. Pete Koukov, a passenger on board, recounted the ordeal.
“We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down hanging like bats” – Pete Koukov
Another passenger, John Nelson, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the impact of the landing.
“When we hit, it was just a super hard — it hit the ground, and the plane went sideways” – John Nelson
The design of the Bombardier CRJ900 played a crucial role in ensuring passenger safety during the crash. Built to withstand hard landings, the aircraft facilitated an efficient evacuation of passengers and crew. Some of those who were hospitalized have since been released, with reports confirming that a child injured in the incident is in good condition.
As emergency services responded promptly to the scene, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his gratitude to all involved.
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” – Delta CEO Ed Bastian
In response to the crash, two runways at Toronto Pearson will remain closed for several days to accommodate the ongoing investigation. Members of Endeavor Air's leadership team, including CEO Jim Graham, are en route to Toronto to assist authorities in determining the cause of the crash.
The crash transpired on a day marked by heavy snowfall and blustery winds, underscoring the volatile weather conditions faced by aviation professionals. As investigators from Canada and the United States work collaboratively to uncover the details surrounding this incident, questions remain about how such powerful gusts might have contributed to the difficulty of landing.
Despite the trauma of the event, passengers like Pete Koukov expressed relief and gratitude for their survival.
“Just feeling lucky and happy I got to give the person I didn’t know sitting next to me a big hug, that we were OK, and see my friends who are here to pick me up from the airport and give them a big hug” – Pete Koukov
John Nelson similarly emphasized the urgency felt among passengers as they sought safety post-crash.
“We tried to get out of there as quickly as possible” – John Nelson
