Delta Air Lines flight 4819 crash-landed in Toronto, flipping upside down. All passengers and crew survived, with some injuries reported. Investigation underway.
A Delta Air Lines jet, operating as Endeavor Air Flight 4819, experienced a crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon. The incident involved a flight originating from Minneapolis, Minnesota, carrying 76 passengers and 4 crew members. The aircraft flipped onto its back upon landing on the snowy runway. Despite the severity of the accident, all passengers and crew members survived.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. Initial reports indicated that seventeen people sustained injuries, with three individuals, including a child, requiring urgent medical attention. Ornge Air Ambulance transported these patients to Toronto hospitals; the child was taken to the Hospital for Sick Children, while a man in his 60s and a woman in her 40s were moved to other medical facilities. The remaining injured individuals were also taken to area hospitals by ambulance or helicopter.
Details of the Incident
Eyewitness accounts and footage from the scene painted a picture of a chaotic situation. A video captured by a passenger showed the interior of the overturned aircraft, with travelers working to exit the plane. One passenger described the experience of being suspended upside down. Another passenger likened the scene to hanging like bats.
Pete Koukov, a passenger on the flight, told CNN that the plane hit the ground sideways before flipping over. He also expressed relief and gratitude for the safety of himself and his fellow passengers.
Following the incident, runways at Pearson Airport were temporarily closed but resumed operations after a short period. The airport confirmed that all passengers and crew members were accounted for.
Response and Investigation
Delta Air Lines acknowledged the incident involving flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, and stated their primary focus was on the care of the passengers. Transport Minister Anita Anand described the event as a “serious incident” and confirmed that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada dispatched investigators to the site. The US Federal Aviation Administration also sent a team to assist in the investigation, according to US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her relief that all passengers and crew were safe and commended the first responders and airport personnel for their quick and efficient response.
Airport Operations and Conditions
Earlier on Monday, the airport anticipated high traffic volumes, expecting to handle approximately 130,000 travellers on around 1,000 flights. This followed weekend disruptions caused by significant snowfall. Despite the resumption of flights, passengers were advised to expect delays.
According to airport officials, the runway was dry, and there were no crosswind conditions at the time of the landing. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Statements from Officials
Deborah Flint, the Toronto airport authority chief executive, praised the emergency crews for their heroic response, noting that they reached the site quickly and evacuated the passengers efficiently. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he was relieved that there were no casualties as a result of the incident.
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian said that the hearts of the entire global Delta family were with those affected by the incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport.
The CRJ-900 plane was doused with water as smoke emerged from the fuselage while passengers exited the aircraft. Social media posts depicted people moving away from the aircraft while shielding their faces from blowing snow.
The crash occurred amidst a backdrop of recent air incidents in North America, including a mid-air collision in Washington and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia.
Sources: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/i-was-just-in-a-plane-crash-toronto-plane-crash-survivor-shares-video-of-moment-delta-plane-flipped/articleshow/118339739.cms
https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/dont-take-video-flight-attendant-tells-passenger-to-stop-recording-from-upside-down-delta-airlines-plane-watch-101739853575618.html
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/delta-plane-crashes-in-canada-multiple-people-injured-7734153