TORONTO – Authorities are investigating the crash and overturning of Delta Flight 4819 at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday. The regional jet, a CRJ 900 operated by Endeavor Air, flipped upside-down upon landing but miraculously resulted in no fatalities.
Toronto Pearson President and CEO Deborah Flint highlighted the severe weather conditions leading up to the crash, citing two powerful storms that brought over 50 cm (20 inches) of snow from Thursday to Sunday—more than the total snowfall of last winter.
“There were many flight delays and cancellations across Canada and the U.S. Northeast due to these storms,” Flint stated at a Tuesday press conference. However, she clarified that Monday itself was a clear day, making it an operational recovery day for the airport.
Crash Conditions and Investigation
Delta Flight 4819, which departed from Minneapolis, attempted to land amid strong winds reaching 40 mph on the ground and even stronger gusts at higher altitudes.
Despite speculation that weather may have played a role, Flint declined to comment, stating, “This would not be a time for us to have theory or to speculate.”
Toronto Airport Fire Chief Todd Aitken added that the runway was dry, with no crosswind conditions at the time of the crash. When asked whether the surface had any light snow or slush, he deferred to investigators.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the investigation, assisted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Officials said investigators will examine both the aircraft and the runway over the next two days.
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (black boxes) have been removed and sent for analysis, said TSB investigator Ken Webster.
“At this point, it’s far too early to say what caused the accident,” Webster stated. “However, we will share more information once we’re able to.”
Shakira Hospitalized: Peru Concert Canceled Over Health Scare
Passengers and Crew Escape Major Tragedy
The aircraft caught fire and flipped upon impact, but all 76 passengers and four crew members successfully evacuated.
Flint praised the flight crew’s heroism, stating, “They heroically led passengers to safety. I cannot commend them enough, along with our emergency responders.”
Injuries and Medical Response
21 passengers were taken to hospitals, and as of Tuesday, 19 had been released, according to Delta Airlines.
Medical responders reported injuries ranging from minor to critical, including:
- Back sprains, head injuries, and anxiety
- Headaches, nausea, and vomiting due to fuel exposure
Three individuals suffered critical injuries:
- A child
- A man in his 60s
- A woman in her 40s
All injuries are non-life-threatening, confirmed by Peel Regional Paramedic Services and medical transport provider Ornge.
Airport Operations Resumed
Toronto Pearson temporarily halted flights following the crash, resuming departures and arrivals at 5 p.m. ET Monday. However, two runways remained closed, which Flint acknowledged could impact airport operations.
Delta Airlines Responds
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued a statement emphasizing the airline’s commitment to those affected:
“Our most pressing priority remains taking care of all customers and Endeavor crew members involved. We’ll do everything we can to support them and their families in the days ahead. We are grateful for the first responders and medical teams who have been caring for them.”
With investigations ongoing, aviation experts will continue reviewing the aircraft’s data, weather conditions, and operational factors to determine what led to the crash.
