Delta Flight from Minneapolis Crashes During Landing
In a shocking incident that occurred just hours ago, a Delta Airlines flight arriving from Minneapolis crashed and flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The dramatic scene shows the aircraft completely inverted on the snow-covered tarmac with emergency crews rushing to assist passengers and crew.
According to initial reports, three people are now in critical condition—including a child—following the crash landing.
Latest Updates on Injuries
While early reports indicated that all passengers would survive, more serious injuries have now been confirmed:
- A pediatric patient has been airlifted to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto with critical injuries
- A man and a woman have also been transported to local hospitals in critical condition
- At least six other passengers suffered moderate to mild injuries
- All 80 passengers and crew members have been successfully evacuated from the aircraft
Joshua McNamara from Orange Emergency Services stated that “three air ambulance helicopters and two of our Critical Care land ambulances have responded” to the scene, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Weather Conditions Likely Played a Role
The crash unfolded during challenging weather conditions at Toronto Pearson International Airport:
- Blowing snow and strong wind gusts across the region
- Wind speeds reaching 40 mph on the ground and even stronger at higher altitudes
- Nearly 9 inches of snow had fallen in a weekend storm just prior to the incident
- Airport crews had worked overnight Sunday to clear key runways
Aviation experts speaking to Focus Point News suggest these severe weather conditions likely contributed to the accident, though the official investigation is just beginning.
Aircraft Details and Emergency Response
The aircraft involved is a Bombardier CRJ900 LR regional jet operating as Delta Connection flight 4819, which departed Minneapolis at approximately 11:47 AM local time. The plane appears to have suffered significant damage during the crash, with images showing the wings having snapped off as it flipped over.
Toronto Pearson International Airport was temporarily closed following the incident, with operations suspended until at least 4:30 PM.
In a statement posted on social media, Toronto Pearson officials said: “Toronto Pearson is aware of an incident upon landing involving a Delta Airline plane arriving from Minneapolis. Emergency teams are responding. All passengers and crew are accounted for.”
Delta Airlines has also acknowledged the incident, stating: “Delta is aware of the report of Endeavor flight 4819 operating from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Toronto Pearson International Airport as involved in an incident. We are working to confirm any details.”
Investigation Underway
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will lead the investigation into this crash, with assistance from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Investigators will be examining:
- Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders
- Weather conditions at the time of landing
- Pilot communications with air traffic control
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Landing procedures during adverse weather conditions
Recent Aviation Incidents Raise Concerns
This crash comes amid a series of high-profile aviation incidents in recent weeks. On January 29th, a collision between an Army Blackhawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan National Airport resulted in multiple fatalities.
The clustering of these incidents has led some aviation experts to call for enhanced safety protocols and weather-related landing procedures, particularly as climate change contributes to more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns.
Airline Travel Safety: Expert Advice
Aviation safety expert Dr. Jennifer Reynolds told Focus Point News: “This incident serves as a powerful reminder of why flight attendants emphasize keeping seatbelts fastened during takeoff and landing. These are statistically the most dangerous phases of any flight, and proper restraint can make the difference between minor injuries and critical ones during unexpected events like this crash.”
Reynolds added that while air travel remains extraordinarily safe overall, passengers should always:
- Pay close attention to safety briefings
- Keep seatbelts fastened whenever seated
- Note the nearest emergency exits
- Follow all crew instructions during emergencies
