Delta Air Lines Aircraft Crash at Toronto Pearson Airport
A Delta Air Lines aircraft crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday afternoon, resulting in multiple injuries among passengers and crew members.
Details of the Incident
The incident involved a Delta Air Lines CRJ-900 jet, operating as Delta Connection flight 4819, which had taken off from Minneapolis. The aircraft was being operated by Endeavor Air and was carrying a total of 80 individuals—76 passengers and four crew members.
Timeline of Events
The crash occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time, as the plane was attempting to land at the airport. Eyewitness accounts and images from the scene depict the aircraft overturned and significantly damaged on a snow-covered runway, raising immediate concerns about the incident’s severity.
Response and Injuries
Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, treating a total of 18 individuals for injuries. Notably, three individuals sustained critical injuries and were transported to local hospitals for further care. Two of these critical patients were airlifted to trauma centers—the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital. A four-year-old child was also transported to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Statements from Officials
Superintendent Lawrence Saindon of Peel Regional Paramedic Services confirmed to Fox News Digital that the critically injured individuals’ injuries were not life-threatening. The remaining injured passengers sustained relatively minor injuries, including cuts and scrapes.
According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred during the landing phase. All passengers and crew on board were evacuated without incident. In light of the crash, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
Impact on Airport Operations
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, operations at Toronto Pearson Airport were temporarily halted. However, services resumed around 5 p.m. The airport took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that all individuals aboard the aircraft had been accounted for and that emergency teams were actively responding to the situation.
Weather Conditions and Witness Accounts
Air traffic control communications during the incident indicated wind speeds ranging from 20 to 30 mph, with gusts approaching 40 mph. A helicopter pilot, who was a witness to the event, described the aircraft as being “upside down and burning,” underscoring the hazardous conditions and severity of the crash.
Federal Involvement and Current Air Travel Climate
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that FAA investigators were en route to Toronto to assist with the investigation. He also stated that he had reached out to Canadian officials to offer any necessary support in addressing the incident.
This crash follows a particularly tumultuous period for the aviation industry, where safety concerns have been heightened. Earlier this year, in January, a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines-affiliated flight near Washington, D.C., tragically claiming 67 lives. Additionally, the aviation sector faced setbacks with the crash of a Jeju Air flight in South Korea, which resulted in the loss of 179 lives, and an Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan that left 38 dead and 29 injured during the Christmas season.
Looking Ahead
As investigations continue, Fox News Digital has reached out to Delta Air Lines for further information. There remains a collective hope that the thorough examination of this incident will provide insights and reinforce safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
This report includes contributions from Reuters and Fox News Digital reporters Brooke Curto and Kyle Schmidbauer.
