Toronto Pearson International Airport was the scene of chaos and injuries on Monday afternoon when Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, arriving from Minneapolis, crashed during its landing, leaving the plane overturned and badly damaged. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. EST, resulted in at least 18 injuries, including three critically.
Images and videos circulating on social media captured the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft flipped on its back, with smoke rising from the fuselage. Emergency services responded swiftly, closing the airport for hours as they worked to assess and evacuate the 76 passengers and four crew members on board.
Deborah Flint, the CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), confirmed during a press conference, "We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries." Initial reports varied on the number of injured, but Flint later confirmed 18 individuals were taken to local hospitals, with no fatalities.
Passengers described the terrifying moments during and after the crash. One such passenger, Peter Carlson, shared his experience saying, "It was like being smacked against a wall." He was seated near the wing and recounted how the plane suddenly went sideways, to the point where he found himself upside down and still strapped to his seat.
Many passengers echoed this sentiment, describing the horrific scene once they escaped. "We were sideways, and then we were upside down, hanging like bats," shared one distressed passenger.
The GTAA's fire chief, Todd Aitken, stated during the update, "The runway was dry and there were no crosswinds at the time of the crash," which raised eyebrows among observers and experts familiar with the conditions at the time. Aitken's comment contradicted the recorded wind conditions and the weather reports indicating challenging landing conditions due to strong winds and snow on the runway.
The fallout from the crash led to severe disruptions at the airport; two of the airport's five runways have remained closed as investigations ensue, resulting in mass flight delays and the diversion of 46 flights to airports across Canada.
Viewers watching the live news coverage described the events as chaotic. One witness said, "It was like a nightmare to see the flames and smoke; I didn't believe it was happening almost just out of the movies." Another passerby at the airport shared, "I felt deeply unsettled, not knowing what was happening."
According to Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance service, it dispatched multiple units to the site. Many reports of injuries were made, including three patients transported with serious complications: one child was taken to SickKids hospital, and another adult to St. Michael’s Hospital.
"Passengers traveling across Canada today are advised to check the status of their flight due to traffic impacts," informed Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand, who is monitoring the situation closely.
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have also been dispatched to Toronto to assist with the investigation. Experts have noted how rare such incidents are, particularly when considering the lack of fatalities.
One aviation consultant, Scott Hamilton, noted, "The fact the wing separated and the fuel spill did not create a conflagration is, in my opinion, a miracle."
Security procedures were swiftly activated, allowing emergency personnel to respond quickly to the crash. Emergency responders arrived at the crash site within moments of the incident, leading to a chaotic yet organized evacuation of passengers, as reported by Flint. "The airport emergency workers mounted a textbook response, reaching the site within minutes and quickly evacuations the people aboard the aircraft," Flint emphasized.
The airport has been experiencing heightened traffic, especially during this winter season, following severe weather leading up to the crash. Over the past weekend, close to 26 centimeters of snow caused flight delays and cancellations leading to the high volume of passengers Monday. By Monday evening, it was announced flights began to resume for the remaining runways.
Throughout the evening, additional information surfaced about the passengers. There were 22 Canadians aboard Flight 4819, among other multinational passengers, emphasizing the flight's international makeup.
While the investigation continues, airport officials have stated they are focused on supporting affected passengers and crew members. Delta Air Lines confirmed, "Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted," and expressed gratitude for the emergency response efforts made at the scene.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her relief, stating, "Thank you to the first responders, crew and airport staff for their quick actions and commitment to keeping everyone safe."
The crash marks one of the most significant incidents at Pearson Airport since 2019 when another aircraft incident caused injuries; hence, safety protocols and system evaluations are likely to follow closely behind this event. The community, including political leaders throughout the area, has voiced their relief to reporters and on social media, echoing sentiments of gratitude for first responders and the quick response teams who managed and mitigated a potentially catastrophic situation.