In a terrifying aviation mishap, a Delta Air Lines jet carrying 80 people crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, flipping upside down on impact and injuring at least 18 passengers. Miraculously, no fatalities were reported.
The aircraft, Endeavor Air Flight 4819, had taken off from Minneapolis, Minnesota, before the horrifying landing in Canada’s largest metropolis. The CRJ-900 jet, operated by Delta’s regional subsidiary, ended up resting on its roof, with its wings clipped and smoke billowing from the fuselage.
Dramatic footage from the crash site showed dazed passengers stumbling away from the wreckage, shielding their faces from blistering winds and blowing snow. Some were seen helping others to safety as emergency responders rushed in.
Fire crews doused the aircraft with water as plumes of smoke rose, while paramedics swiftly transported the wounded—three of whom were in critical condition, including a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s.
“We can confirm that 18 people sustained injuries, but, thankfully, no lives were lost,” said Todd Aitken, the airport’s fire chief.
A Facebook user, John Nelson, who was onboard, captured the aftermath in a chilling video from the tarmac:
> “Our plane crashed. It’s upside down. Most people appear to be okay. We’re all getting off.”
Passengers described a violent jolt upon landing before the aircraft flipped over, sending luggage and belongings flying.
Despite the horrifying scene, the cause of the crash remains unknown.
“It’s very early on. It’s really important that we do not speculate. What we can say is the runway was dry, and there were no crosswind conditions,” Aitken added.
Investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB), along with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have arrived at the scene to determine what led to the catastrophic landing.
Delta and Officials React
Delta Airlines acknowledged the incident, stating:
> “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed relief that no lives were lost, while Canadian Transport Minister Anita Anand confirmed she was closely monitoring the situation.
Aviation Disasters on the Rise?
The crash comes amid a string of recent aviation accidents in North America, including:
A mid-air collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington that claimed 67 lives.
A medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia that left seven dead.
Following the crash, all flights at Toronto Pearson were suspended for over two hours, leading to widespread delays and cancellations. The airport had already been struggling with disruptions caused by a major snowstorm that battered eastern Canada over the weekend.
As authorities continue their investigation, questions linger over how a routine landing turned into a terrifying disaster—one that could have been far worse.
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