People near crashed plane on snowy runway.

Delta Plane Crashes While Landing in Toronto: Injuries Reported

ByBrass Report Staff Reading Time: 3 minutes

A Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 flipped over while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, injuring 18 of the 80 people aboard. The CRJ-900 aircraft, operated by Endeavor Air, encountered challenging weather conditions with strong winds and recent snowfall. Emergency teams quickly evacuated all passengers and crew, with three people, including one child, in critical condition. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada‘s investigation will uncover what caused this dramatic incident.

Terror struck Toronto Pearson International Airport today when Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 flipped over during landing, injuring at least 18 people and forcing the temporary closure of Canada’s busiest airport. The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Delta’s subsidiary Endeavor Air, overturned on the tarmac around 2:15 PM local time, with its wings severed and thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage. The 15-year-old aircraft had been in continuous service with Delta Connection since 2013. Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz reached out to Delta officials immediately after learning of the incident.

Chaos erupted at Toronto Pearson as Delta Flight 4819 flipped during landing, leaving 18 injured and Canada’s busiest airport temporarily shuttered.

Emergency response teams quickly descended on the scene, dousing the fuselage with water and fire-retardant foam while evacuating all 80 people aboard. The swift action by first responders highlighted the airport’s air safety protocols, as Peel Regional Paramedic Services transported the injured to local hospitals. Among those critically injured were two adults and one child, though remarkably, no fatalities were reported. Delta CEO Ed Bastian personally commended the first responders for their quick and effective response to the emergency.

The flight, which departed Minneapolis around 11:30 AM with 76 passengers and four crew members, encountered challenging weather conditions during its approach to Toronto. Weather reports indicated winds of 32 mph with gusts reaching 40 mph at the time of the incident. Toronto had experienced 23 centimeters of snow over the weekend, creating hazardous landing conditions. Initial investigations suggest a possible flap actuator failure may have contributed to the crash, though multiple factors are likely involved. Wind speeds were especially dangerous at higher altitudes during the approach.

The impact on airport operations was immediate, with all flights temporarily suspended and several inbound aircraft diverted to alternative airports. However, Pearson Airport managed to resume departures and arrivals by early evening, demonstrating its ability to maintain operations while managing a significant safety incident.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has taken the lead in investigating the crash, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration. Delta Air Lines has pledged full cooperation with authorities while providing support to affected passengers and their families.

This incident follows a series of recent aviation accidents, including a fatal American Airlines collision in Washington D.C. three weeks ago and a PAL Airlines emergency landing in Halifax last December. These events have intensified scrutiny of airline safety practices and raised public concerns about air travel security.

Questions about the crash’s cause remain as investigators examine whether the gusty conditions, mechanical issues, or other factors played primary roles in the accident. The incident has drawn particular attention due to its occurrence at one of North America’s major transportation hubs and its potential implications for regional air travel safety protocols.

Airport officials confirmed that all passengers and crew were accounted for, though varying reports of the number of injured individuals – ranging from 8 to 19 – highlighted the initial confusion surrounding the incident.

The crash of Flight 4819 serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in commercial aviation, even as the industry grapples with increasing operational pressures and challenging weather conditions.

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