At least 18 individuals sustained injuries on Monday when a Delta Air Lines plane overturned after landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the injuries reported were described as relatively minor.
Footage shared on social media depicted the dramatic scene, showing the plane completely flipped upside down as emergency services responded by evacuating passengers and managing the site. John Nelson, a passenger who captured the moment, shared that “most people appear to be OK” as people left the aircraft.
Toronto Pearson’s CEO, Deborah Flint, confirmed that none of the injured passengers were in critical condition. Lawrence Saindon, a superintendent for Peel Regional Paramedic Services, indicated that 12 individuals were transported by ground for medical attention, while two others were airlifted to trauma centers. One of those requiring airlift was a man in his 60s taken to St. Michael’s Hospital, and the other was a woman in her 40s going to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Additionally, emergency services transported a child to the Hospital for Sick Children.
The incident involved Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, which was arriving from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The FAA reported that the aircraft, a CRJ-900, carried a total of 80 individuals, including 76 passengers and four crew members. Among the passengers, 22 were Canadian, with the remainder being of various nationalities.
Following the incident, the Toronto Pearson airport experienced a ground delay due to the emergency, with delays averaging around 292 minutes. Delta Air Lines canceled all flights scheduled for Monday night and provided travel waivers for affected passengers.
The crash occurred amid challenging weather conditions, with strong winds between 20 to 30 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Although snow had been reported at the airport earlier in the day, there was no snow present or on radar at the time of the accident.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has announced an investigation into the incident, with the National Transportation Safety Board assisting as necessary. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that FAA investigators were en route to Toronto to help with the investigation.
Delta Air Lines’ CEO Ed Bastian expressed his concern for those impacted by the incident, thanking the emergency personnel and team members who responded promptly.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation, and the quick response by emergency teams likely contributed to preventing more serious injuries. It is reassuring to know that all injured parties are receiving the medical attention they need, and further investigations will aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding this unusual incident.