On February 17, 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operating from Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport, experienced a harrowing incident upon landing. The plane, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, flipped upside down on the runway during its arrival at around 2:15 p.m. ET. Remarkably, all 80 individuals on board survived the plane crash.
Reports mention that emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to assist in evacuating the passengers and crew. 18 individuals sustained injuries; 3 were reported in critical condition, including a child who was quickly transported to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The remaining injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
A Passenger, John Nelson, recounted that there was no unusual occurrence before the landing. However, the aircraft hit the ground hard moments before the crash, skidded, and eventually overturned. He noted seeing a fireball on the plane’s left side before it came to a rest upside down. Despite the chaos, all occupants evacuated before the aircraft was engulfed in flames.
At the time of the incident, weather conditions at Toronto Pearson International Airport included gusty winds and snow-covered runways. Investigators are examining multiple factors to determine the cause of the crash, including the impact of winter conditions, wind shear, approach speeds, thruster function, and braking issues. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team to lead the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Due to the crash, several runways at the airport were closed, leading to flight diversions to nearby airports such as Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Operations at Toronto Pearson resumed later that day. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to the responders and concern for those affected by the incident.
This event marks the latest of several plane crashes in North America in recent weeks, including a small commuter plane crash in Alaska and a medical transport jet accident in Philadelphia. Despite the severity of the Toronto crash, the survival of all passengers and crew is evidence of the effective emergency response and safety protocols in place. An Official of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority described the emergency response as “textbook,” appreciating its role in saving all on board.
