An accident occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada, where a Delta Air Lines aircraft flipped over while landing due to strong winds and snowfall. After the accident, survivors, shielding their faces from the strong winds, emerged from the wreckage of the plane. The prompt response of emergency services ensured immediate care for those affected.
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02-20, 2025According to preliminary reports, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 11:47 a.m. local time, flying at an altitude of 29,000 feet, with its destination being Toronto Pearson International Airport. At approximately 2:15 p.m., as the aircraft approached Runway 23 at the airport, the air traffic control tower warned the pilots of potential air turbulence in the glide path of the preceding aircraft. Subsequently, there was no further communication between the tower and the Delta Air Lines flight until the tower confirmed that an aircraft had flipped over while landing in strong winds following a snowstorm. The incident highlighted the challenges of landing in adverse weather conditions.
Passenger Pete Kucukov told CNN that he "wasn't aware of any problems" before the plane hit the ground. Mr. Kucukov said, "We hit the ground, and then we were sideways, and then we were upside down like bats." He also expressed his feeling of luck and embraced the stranger sitting next to him, thankful that everyone was safe. Videos showed passengers moving away from the plane, with the tail and at least one wing missing. The collective relief was palpable as passengers realized the extent of the averted disaster.
There were 80 people on board, including 4 crew members. Deborah Flint, President of Toronto Pearson Airport, stated at a press conference that 22 of the passengers were Canadian citizens. Peel Region Paramedic Services reported that at least 18 people on board were injured. Among them, a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital, but none were life-threatening. Delta Air Lines stated in a statement that there were no fatalities. "Some injured passengers have been transported to local hospitals. Our top priority is taking care of the people affected." The airline is committed to supporting the passengers and crew during this difficult time.
Aviation expert Keith Tonkin stated that the safe evacuation of everyone on board was "worthy of cautious relief." Mr. Tonkin believes that "requiring passengers to fasten their seatbelts during landing played a significant role in this outcome." John Cox, CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems, stated that it is very rare for an aircraft to end up upside down. "We have seen some cases where aircraft end up upside down during takeoff, but this is very rare." The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and preliminary assessments suggest that weather may have been a contributing factor. Investigators are meticulously examining all aspects of the flight and the conditions at the time of the incident.
At the time of the incident, the weather at the airport was cold, with ice, snow, and strong winds. Data from Environment Canada showed that the airport was experiencing blowing snow, with wind speeds of 27 to 35 knots (approximately 60 km/h) and a temperature of approximately 16.5 degrees Fahrenheit (Celsius -8.6 degrees). Mr. Tonkin stated, "It is not yet clear how the plane flipped over, but it appears that the snowfall and high winds may have affected the pilot's ability to maintain directional control during landing." Toronto Airport Fire Chief Todd Aitken stated at a press conference that the runway was dry and there was no crosswind. However, Mr. Cox disagreed, stating that the average crosswind was 19 knots (35 km/h) when the plane landed, and the gusts fluctuated. He also pointed out that the missing right wing is an issue that needs to be investigated. "If a wing is missing, the aircraft will have a tendency to roll." The investigation will seek to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the aircraft's unusual landing.
It is reported that the crashed aircraft was a Bombardier CRJ-900, owned by Delta Air Lines subsidiary Endeavor Air. This model is in the same series as the CRJ-700 aircraft involved in a mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., last month. Currently, the accident investigation is underway, with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada leading the investigation, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will also send an investigation team to assist. The findings of the investigation will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future.
