Incident Details: Delta Flight 4819 Crashes on Landing at Toronto Pearson
An 80-passenger plane crash landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025, with at least 18 passengers injured. Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, flown by Endeavor Air, crash-landed upside down, sending emergency teams rushing to evacuate passengers from the aircraft.
Minneapolis Flight 4819 Performs Surprise Crash Landing
The plane was arriving from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was trying to land at Toronto Pearson at about 2:45 p.m. local time. The plane tumbled over upon landing, taking the runway to pieces.
Plane Tumbles Over, 18 Hurt in Crash
When the plane’s fuselage turned onto the snowy runway, passengers were ushered out of the aircraft, and emergency responders quickly cordoned off the area. At least 18 people were hurt, with two in critical condition.
Injuries Reported: Two in Critical Condition, Child Hospitalized
Critical Condition: Two Passengers Airlifted to Trauma Center
Two of the passengers were airlifted from the scene to a downtown Toronto hospital in critical condition. Officials refused to provide any other information about their particular injuries, but the severity of their conditions required the emergency airlift.
One Child Taken by Ambulance to Downtown Toronto Hospital
Another child among the passengers was also taken to a downtown Toronto hospital in an ambulance. The injuries were nonlethal, but the condition of the child needed to be treated medically.
Twelve Others Suffer Minor Injuries in Plane Crash
Twelve other people suffered minor injuries and received first-aid treatment on the spot. Luckily, there are no reported fatalities.
Flight 4819: A Delta Air Lines Flight from Minneapolis to Toronto
Facts Regarding Delta Flight 4819 and Its Route Plan
Flight 4819 was a regional aircraft operated by the subsidiary company of Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air. The plane was en route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Toronto, Ontario, when the accident occurred while descending.
Aircraft Crashes While Landing Under Adverse Weather Conditions
The crash happened several hours after a record snowstorm had struck eastern Canada, halting flight operations throughout the entire region. Freezing temperatures and windy conditions were present during the landing, although there were no crosswind conditions at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Passenger Experiences: Descriptions of Mayhem and Rapid Evacuation
John Nelson’s Video: Passengers Escape from UpsideDown Plane
Passenger John Nelson posted a video from the scene, the plane upside down and people exiting through emergency doors. “Our plane crashed. It’s upside down. Most people seem to be OK,” Nelson captioned his post. He also mentioned the impact, saying that nothing seemed out of place before the crash.
Passengers’ Reactions: Unbuckling and Exiting the Crashed Plane
Nelson described how he unbuckled his seatbelt after the aircraft had rolled over and assisted other passengers to safety. A few of the passengers required help because the impact had made them dizzy, but many were able to exit for themselves with assistance from the cabin crew.
Emergency Response: Firefighters and Cabin Crew Assist Evacuation
Firefighters Spraying Water and Helping Passengers
Once firefighters arrived at the scene, the fuselage which had crashed was water sprayed by the firefighters. The most significant role that these firefighters had was ensuring the safety of the passengers and that there would be no threat of fire as a result of the crash.
Emergency Evacuation: Passengers Exit Through Emergency Exits
The rapid intervention of the fire services and flight attendants safely evacuated the entire 80-person passenger load aboard the plane. Videos on social media capture passengers evacuating from the plane through the emergency doors as firefighters persisted in dousing the plane with water.
Airport Operations: Flights Temporarily Suspended Following Crash
Toronto Pearson Airport Shut Down Operations Temporarily
After the accident, Toronto Pearson suspended all departures and arrivals for a short time as safety protocols were triggered. The operations team at the airport moved fast to cordon the site and determine the extent of damage to the runway.
Flights Resume Hours Later Following Safety Clearance
By 5:00 p.m. local time, the airport had confirmed that regular flight operations had been resumed following safety checks. There were no additional disruptions from the incident, and air traffic proceeded as planned.
Weather Impact: Snowstorms and Strong Winds Contribute to Delays
Winter Storm Causes Widespread Disruptions at Toronto Airport
The plane crashed while a blizzard pounded much of eastern Canada, with subfreezing temperatures and strong winds interrupting flight operations at Toronto Pearson. Scores of flights had already experienced delays before the crash.
Extreme Cold and Winds Impact Flight Operations
The adverse weather conditions are probably to blame for delaying operations at all parts of the airport. However, authorities confirmed that the runway was dry at the time of the accident.
Investigation Underway: Transportation Safety Board to Probe Crash
TSB Sends Team to Investigate Cause of Delta Flight 4819 Crash
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) sent an investigation team to determine the cause of the plane crash. The investigation team will examine flight history, meteorology, and other possible factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
US National Transportation Safety Board to Help Investigate
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has committed to assisting the TSB in the investigation. The partnership is to facilitate a thorough analysis of the causes of the crash.
No Other Planes Involved: Toronto Pearson Airport Confirms Safety
Airport Officials Confirm No Additional Aircraft Were Affected
Toronto Pearson Airport authorities confirmed that the crash did not involve any other aircraft. The accident occurred on a single runway and did not affect other flights or aircraft.
Fire Chief Reports Runway Was Dry, No Crosswinds During Landing
Airport fire chief Todd Aitken reported the runway was dry with no crosswind conditions when the plane crashed. The reason for the accident is still under investigation.
Relief of Premier Doug Ford: No Fatalities Reported in Plane Crash
Ontario Premier Grateful for Lack of Fatalities
Ontario Premier Doug Ford openly expressed relief that the crash did not result in any fatalities.He commended the swift response by emergency staff and cabin crew staff who evacuated the aircraft.
Public Safety Provisions and Response to the Crash
Premier Ford, after the accident, emphasized the need for safety protocols and response measures, thanking all the people who work towards keeping passengers and crew safe.
