In a dramatic incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board. The flight, operated by Delta’s subsidiary Endeavor Air, had departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and encountered severe weather conditions upon arrival in Toronto.
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The CRJ900 aircraft, manufactured by Bombardier, was carrying 76 passengers and four crew members. Among the injured, three individuals, including a child, sustained critical injuries and were immediately transported to local hospitals. The remaining 15 injured passengers were also taken to hospitals for treatment, with some already released by late Monday.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene as the plane touched down on the snow-covered tarmac and flipped over. John Nelson, a passenger on the flight, recounted the moments of terror, stating, “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down. I was able to just unbuckle and sort of fall and push myself to the ground. And then some people were kind of hanging and needed some help being helped down, and others were able to get down on their own.”
The incident occurred amid high winds and frigid temperatures following a snowstorm that had dumped over 22 cm of snow at the airport. Despite the challenging weather conditions, Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken confirmed that the runway was dry at the time of the crash. However, aviation experts noted that gusting crosswinds and blowing snow likely contributed to the accident.
Canadian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will be examining why the right wing of the aircraft separated during the landing. Aviation safety expert John Cox highlighted the complexity of landing in such conditions, stating, “It’s gusty, so they are constantly going to have to be making adjustments in the air speed, adjustments in the vertical profile, and adjustments in the lateral profile.”
The incident has drawn attention to the resilience of modern aviation technology and the effectiveness of emergency response protocols. Michael J. McCormick, an associate professor of air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, remarked, “The fact that 80 people survived an event like this is a testament to the engineering and the technology, the regulatory background that would go into creating a system where somebody can actually survive something that not too long ago would have been fatal.”
Delta Air Lines and Toronto Pearson International Airport officials have expressed gratitude for the quick response of emergency personnel and the cooperation of passengers during the evacuation. The airline has canceled all flights in and out of Toronto Pearson for the remainder of the day and is working to accommodate affected passengers.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community will be closely monitoring the findings to enhance safety measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
