A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis suffered a dramatic crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, skidding along the runway before flipping over and coming to rest upside down. Flames were visible as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Miraculously, all passengers and crew survived, though several sustained injuries.
Survivors recounted harrowing moments as they hung upside down in their seats, struggling to release their seatbelts and drop onto the overturned cabin ceiling. Some managed to crawl through the wreckage to reach the snow-covered tarmac outside, where rescue teams assisted them to safety.
Of the 80 people on board—76 passengers and four crew members—18 were injured. While most suffered minor injuries, a few individuals were reported to be in serious condition. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The aircraft involved was a 16-year-old Bombardier CRJ900, operated by Delta's regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air. The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 PM Eastern Time (19:15 GMT) on Monday.
Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, praised the swift response of emergency crews, describing their efforts as "textbook" and instrumental in preventing any fatalities.
Videos posted on social media captured the dramatic moments following the crash. Footage showed passengers climbing out of the overturned fuselage while fire crews doused the wreckage with foam. One passenger could be heard saying, “Our plane crashed, it’s upside down. Most people seem to be okay.” Others were seen running away from the aircraft as emergency responders worked to secure the scene.
Initial reports suggested that high winds and gusts of up to 64 km/h (40 mph) may have contributed to the crash. However, Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken later stated that the runway was dry and there were no crosswind conditions at the time of landing.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has begun an investigation, gathering flight data and witness statements to determine what led to the accident. Officials have closed two runways for the probe, warning travelers to expect delays. Despite the disruption, normal airport operations resumed at around 5:00 PM local time.
Following the crash, Toronto Pearson’s arrival and departure boards displayed numerous flight delays and cancellations, stranding many travelers. Some passengers reported being stuck in Toronto for days as airlines scrambled to reorganize flights.
James and Andrea Turner, a couple traveling through the airport, described how they were suddenly evacuated from customs as authorities responded to the emergency. "They cleared everyone from customs and security and pushed them back into the general area," James said, adding that the departure hall became overcrowded with confused travelers.
The crash occurred amid ongoing weather challenges in Ontario. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures had caused flight disruptions in the days leading up to the incident. Two recent winter storms had blanketed Toronto with up to 50 cm (19.6 inches) of snow, worsening travel conditions.
This accident is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in North America over the past month. Among them was a tragic mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., which resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board.
While aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, these recent incidents have raised concerns about flight safety, weather preparedness, and emergency response effectiveness. As investigators work to uncover the cause of the Toronto crash, passengers and airline officials alike await answers that could help prevent future disasters.
