A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, injuring 18 passengers amid high winds and freezing temperatures following a snowstorm.
The aircraft, a CRJ900 operated by Delta’s Endeavor Air subsidiary, had departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with 76 passengers and four crew members. Upon landing at 2:13 p.m. local time, the jet overturned near the intersection of runways 23 and 15. Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Authorities reported that three passengers, including a child, sustained critical injuries, while all 18 injured individuals were transported to area hospitals. Two were airlifted to trauma centers, and a child was taken to a children's hospital for further care.
Passenger John Nelson, who was on board, recounted the moment of impact, stating that the aircraft suddenly turned sideways before flipping over. He described the chaos as passengers unbuckled and assisted each other in evacuating the plane.
Videos from the scene showed the aircraft lying on its back on the snow-covered tarmac as emergency crews worked to contain the situation. Firefighters were seen spraying water on the wreckage, while air traffic control communications indicated concern over passengers walking near the overturned aircraft.
Toronto Pearson Airport officials had earlier warned of significant operational challenges due to severe weather conditions. A weekend snowstorm had left over 22 centimeters of snow, affecting flight schedules. The airport was briefly shut down following the crash, leading to diversions to other airports, including Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has deployed a team to examine the crash, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Delta Air Lines expressed gratitude for the quick response of emergency personnel and emphasized its cooperation with investigators. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which acquired the CRJ aircraft program from Bombardier in 2020, stated its commitment to supporting the inquiry.
Despite the severity of the accident, Toronto Pearson Airport President Deborah Flint highlighted the efforts of first responders in preventing fatalities. Aviation experts noted that the aircraft’s safety features played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of all 80 people on board.
Operations at Toronto Pearson are expected to experience continued delays as two runways remain closed for investigation. The crash adds to a series of recent aviation incidents in North America, prompting renewed attention to air travel safety measures.