A Delta Airlines flight has made headlines after Flight 4819 crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 18, 2025, amid harsh winter weather. Despite the severity of the crash, all 80 people on board survived, though 18 passengers were injured, some critically. Here’s what we know about this Delta crash, its causes, and the ongoing investigation.
What Happened and When?
Delta flight 4819, which originated from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota, was attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport when it went off course and flipped upside down. The crash occurred around 3:30 PM local time (20:30 GMT) on Monday, February 18, 2025.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900, had been navigating through strong winds and heavy snow. While the plane burst into flames upon landing, fire crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Fortunately, the fuselage of the aircraft remained largely intact, allowing passengers to exit safely.
Social media footage quickly surfaced showing passengers walking away from the flipped plane across the tarmac, despite the ongoing snowstorm and strong winds.
What Caused the Aircraft to Flip?
Experts believe a combination of extreme weather conditions contributed to the plane flipping on landing. Toronto was experiencing high winds and snowstorms, which could have caused a loss of control. According to aviation expert Scott Hamilton, snowy conditions and strong gusts of wind may have played a significant role in the crash. He also mentioned that other factors such as speed on approach, braking anomalies, or thruster issues could have contributed to the incident.
John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, added that while rare, inverted landings have been observed before under extreme weather conditions. He pointed out that the CRJ900 is designed to handle conditions like those in Toronto, but questions remain, especially about why the plane was missing its right wing after the crash.
While authorities have not yet released an official cause, it is clear that wind gusts of up to 65 km/h (40 mph) and 22 cm of snow created hazardous conditions at the airport, adding to the challenges faced by the pilots on approach.
Injuries and Passengers
There were 76 passengers and 4 crew members on board. According to Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken, 18 people were injured during the crash, including a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s, all of whom were taken to nearby hospitals.
Ontario-based air ambulance service, Ornge, reported that the child was taken to Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, while the adults were treated at other facilities in the city. Though 18 passengers were injured, officials confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening at first, although there have been conflicting reports about the severity of some injuries.
Investigation and Status of the Crash
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched a formal investigation into the crash. While flights have resumed at Toronto Pearson Airport, two runways remain closed to allow for the investigation to continue.
At a press conference, Todd Aitken explained that the cause of the crash was still under investigation. He added, "It's not appropriate for us to comment at this time."
What Have Authorities Said?
Despite the ongoing investigation, Canadian authorities have not provided detailed explanations for why the crash occurred. Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, did confirm that passengers on board had “relatively minor injuries,” and expressed gratitude to the emergency responders who handled the situation.
Flint added, “No airport CEO wants to have these types of press conferences, but this is exactly what our emergency teams, operations, and first responders are trained for.”
However, there appears to be some inconsistency in the reports regarding the severity of injuries. While Flint stated that there were no critical injuries, Ornge Air Ambulance reported that three passengers were critically injured. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of initial reports and the conditions of the injured passengers.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The Toronto Delta crash has raised significant concerns regarding aviation safety, particularly in harsh weather conditions. While the cause of the crash is still being investigated, it serves as a reminder of how extreme weather can impact aviation operations, even for modern aircraft like the Bombardier CRJ900.
As Delta Airlines and aviation authorities continue to investigate, passengers and the public await answers about how windy conditions and heavy snow led to this dramatic incident.
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