Jamie Spencer
A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis crashed while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, flipping upside down and catching fire on the runway. Despite the severity of the crash, all 80 passengers and crew members survived, though 21 people were hospitalized with injuries.
Crash Details and Passenger Accounts
Video footage shows the CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft’s rear landing gear collapsing upon impact, causing the right wing to shear away in a fireball. The plane skidded before flipping over, sending smoke and snow into the air.
“When we hit, it was just super hard. It hit the ground, and the plane went sideways,” said passenger John Nelson. “It’s amazing that we’re still here.”
Another passenger, Pete Koukov, described the moment: “We were upside down hanging like bats.” He was able to unbuckle his seatbelt and exit the plane, but some passengers required assistance.
Response and Investigation
Delta CEO Ed Bastian commended the professionalism of the crew and first responders. The president of Toronto Pearson International Airport also credited the quick response for preventing loss of life.
The crash occurred amid strong winds and blowing snow, with gusts reaching 38 mph. Aviation experts suggest that sudden weather changes and the failure of the right wing may have caused the aircraft to flip.
Historical Context and Investigation
This is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in North America. Earlier this month, a regional airline crash in Alaska killed 10 people, and other fatal crashes occurred in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The runway where the plane crashed is expected to remain closed until at least Thursday evening.
While the crash is a stark reminder of aviation risks, the survival of all passengers highlights the effectiveness of modern aircraft safety measures and emergency responses.
