Delta flight 4819 crashes on landing at Toronto Pearson Airport; 18 injured, but none life-threatening
A Delta Air Lines flight, traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto, crashed while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon. The plane flipped onto its roof in the snow-covered runway, sparking fears of a catastrophic disaster. However, in an extraordinary turn of events, all 76 passengers and four crew members on board Flight 4819 survived the crash, though at least 18 individuals were injured.
Emergency responders acted quickly, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals, with only three victims reported to be in critical condition. The passengers, which included 22 Canadians, had been aboard the flight when it crashed at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET. The critically injured included a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s. Fortunately, the child is now listed in stable condition after being transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children. Twelve others sustained minor injuries, but none were considered life-threatening.
Toronto Pearson’s CEO, Deborah Flint, praised the rapid response of first responders, noting that their heroic efforts played a key role in preventing any fatalities. “There was no loss of life, and this is in due part to our heroic and trained professionals,” Flint said during a press conference. The flight was evacuated following the crash, with all 80 people safely leaving the plane.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Toronto’s fire chief, Todd Aitken, reported that the runway was dry, with no crosswinds at the time of the accident. However, blowing snow and gusty winds of up to 40 mph created hazardous conditions. Sources suggest that these factors, along with potential mechanical issues, might have contributed to the crash, although no definitive cause has been established yet. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, assisted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to those who helped at the scene. “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” he said, thanking the first responders, crew, and Delta staff for their swift actions.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow echoed these sentiments, expressing relief that all passengers were accounted for and thanking everyone involved for their quick and decisive actions. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also shared his gratitude on social media, thanking first responders for their professionalism in dealing with the incident.
In the aftermath of the crash, Toronto Pearson temporarily suspended all flights, but services resumed by 5 p.m. ET. However, two runways remain closed, potentially impacting airport operations in the coming hours.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crash, the outcome could have been far worse. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by those in the aviation industry, and the remarkable ability of emergency services to prevent a tragedy from escalating further.
