At least 18 people were injured in a plane crash that took place on Monday afternoon at Toronto Pearson International Airport, as Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, met with a serious incident shortly after its arrival from Minneapolis. The aircraft, a CRJ 900, ended up overturned and engulfed in flames on the snow-covered runway following the accident. Fortunately, all 76 passengers and four crew members were evacuated safely.
Toronto Pearson President and CEO Deborah Flint confirmed no fatalities occurred, but acknowledged the presence of 18 injuries, noting that none were life-threatening. Although three individuals, including a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s, sustained critical injuries, they are expected to recover. The child was transported to the Hospital for Sick Children and is reported to be in good condition.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, and the investigation regarding the cause of the crash has commenced. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the inquiry, with support from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. Early reports indicate that the crash was influenced by severe weather conditions, including heavy snow and strong wind gusts reaching 40 mph. However, Toronto Airport Fire Chief Todd Aitken clarified that the runway was dry and there were no crosswind conditions present at the time of the incident.
In the aftermath of the crash, Toronto Pearson temporarily halted all flights before resuming operations, though two runways remained closed. Delta Airlines expressed its commitment to supporting those affected by the incident, and Delta CEO Ed Bastian sent condolences to all impacted, emphasizing the quick intervention of Delta and Endeavor team members alongside first responders.
This incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and response protocols in aviation, as countless lives were saved due to the swift actions of the flight crew and first responders. As the investigation unfolds, there is hope for improved safety measures in the future to prevent similar incidents.