Delta Plane Flips Upside Down Upon Landing at Toronto Airport, Injuring 18

TDT | Manama
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A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people, including three in critical condition, following a snowstorm and strong winds that impacted the city.

Flight DL4819, operated by Endeavor Air, was en route from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with 80 people aboard, including 76 passengers and four crew members. The CRJ900 aircraft, manufactured by Bombardier, was approaching the airport when it lost control amid gusty winds and a blowing snowstorm, causing it to land belly-up on the snow-covered tarmac.

Authorities confirmed that three passengers, including a child, were critically injured. Fifteen other people were immediately transported to hospitals, though some have since been released. Delta Air Lines expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities, and the airline committed to assisting with recovery efforts.

Witness Accounts and Response

Passenger John Nelson, who was on board during the harrowing incident, shared a chilling account of the crash. “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down,” Nelson told CNN. He recounted how passengers struggled to unbuckle and help each other down, as some were trapped in the plane.

Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken reported that while the runway was dry, the weather conditions presented significant challenges. Pilots reported average crosswinds of 19 knots (22 mph) from the right, compounded by gusts that forced constant adjustments during the landing approach.

Investigation Underway

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to determine the cause of the accident, focusing on the aircraft's loss of control and why the right wing detached. U.S. aviation safety expert John Cox speculated that the gusty conditions likely forced pilots to make quick adjustments to speed and altitude. The TSB will collaborate with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in the investigation.

This incident is unique in that it involved a plane flipping over on landing, a rare occurrence in aviation. Previous similar crashes, such as those involving FedEx freighters in 1997 and 2009, resulted in fatalities. However, experts highlight that the survival of all passengers underscores advancements in aircraft engineering and safety technology.

Flight Operations and Delays

While flights have resumed at Toronto Pearson, airport authorities warned of operational delays as two runways remain closed for the ongoing investigation. Airport president Deborah Flint expressed relief that no lives were lost and credited the swift actions of emergency responders for preventing further casualties.

This crash comes on the heels of several high-profile aviation accidents in North America, including a deadly helicopter collision in Washington, D.C., and a plane crash in Alaska. The Delta crash has added to concerns about the safety of air travel in challenging weather conditions.

A preliminary report on the incident is expected within 30 days, in accordance with global aviation standards. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which acquired the CRJ aircraft program from Bombardier, has expressed its commitment to cooperating with the investigation.