Live Updates: All on Board Survive After Plane Crashes and Overturns at Toronto Airport
Toronto, Canada – February 17, 2025
In a dramatic incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a Delta Air Lines plane carrying 80 people crashed and overturned upon landing. Miraculously, all passengers and crew survived, though 18 individuals sustained injuries, including three in critical condition. The crash has sparked a swift response from emergency teams and aviation authorities, with investigations underway to determine the cause of the accident
Key Details of the Incident
- Flight Information
- The aircraft, Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, was a Bombardier CRJ-900LR regional jet. It departed from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and was scheduled to land in Toronto69.
- The plane carried 76 passengers and 4 crew members, including 22 Canadians and multinational travelers68.
- The Crash
- The plane flipped upside down upon landing, coming to rest on its roof. Passengers described hanging “like bats” inside the cabin before evacuating29.
- Emergency responders reached the scene within minutes, evacuating all individuals safely. The quick response has been credited with preventing fatalities46.
- Injuries and Medical Response
- Eighteen people were injured, with three in critical condition: a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s. All were transported to Toronto hospitals, including the Hospital for Sick Children and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre68.
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening510.
- Runway Conditions and Weather
- Fire Chief Todd Aitken stated that the runway was dry and there were no crosswinds at the time of the crash. However, some reports noted gusty winds and icy conditions following a recent snowstorm, which may have contributed to the incident49.
- Airport Operations
- Two runways were closed for investigation, causing delays and cancellations. Departures and arrivals resumed by 5 p.m. ET, but significant disruptions are expected in the coming days
Eyewitness Accounts
Passengers described the terrifying moments during and after the crash.
- Pete Koukov, a passenger, recounted, “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down hanging like bats. 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”9.
- Peter Carlson, another passenger, shared, “The next thing I know, there was kind of a blink, I was upside down and still strapped in. It was cement and metal. The absolute initial feeling is just need to get out of this”8.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team to investigate the crash. Key areas of focus include:
- The role of weather conditions, including wind gusts and icy runways9.
- The structural integrity of the aircraft, particularly the missing right wing9.
- The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, which will provide critical insights into the final moments of the flight69.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also assisting in the investigation, given Delta Air Lines’ involvement
Statements from Officials
- Deborah Flint, CEO of Toronto Pearson Airport, praised the “textbook response” of first responders and emphasized that the focus remains on supporting affected passengers and crew26.
- Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to emergency teams and assured that the airline is prioritizing care for those impacted
- This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the critical role of emergency preparedness. As investigations continue, the global aviation community will be closely monitoring the findings to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
- For further updates, follow official statements from Toronto Pearson Airport and Delta Air Lines.
Sources: CNN, NBC News, BBC, CBC, CTV News, ABC News
