Chaos erupted at Toronto Pearson Airport when a Delta Connection flight crash-landed, flipping upside down and catching fire upon impact. Air traffic control audio captured the tense moments as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, was attempting to land amid strong winds after departing from Minneapolis-St. Paul. The aircraft carried 80 people, including 76 passengers and four crew members. High winds of up to 40 mph likely contributed to the accident.
Despite the wreckage, many passengers managed to evacuate. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, with at least one MedEvac aircraft deployed. Miraculously, no fatalities were reported, but 18 people sustained injuries, including a critically injured four-year-old child.
The crash temporarily halted airport operations, resuming around 5 p.m. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to first responders and affected passengers. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also acknowledged the swift emergency response.
Videos from the scene showed passengers escaping through emergency exits while smoke billowed from the wreckage. The FAA confirmed that the CRJ-900 aircraft overturned upon landing, with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada leading the investigation.
Delta canceled all Toronto flights for the evening and provided a hotline for affected passengers. Aviation expert John Cox emphasized that such incidents are rare, noting the aircraft’s reliability and pilot training. The U.S. NTSB will assist in the Canadian-led investigation.
