A Delta flight carrying 80 passengers and crew crash-landed upside down at Toronto Airport on Monday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response. The aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis, flipped upon landing, erupting in flames as fire crews rushed to extinguish the blaze.
Despite the dramatic scene, all passengers and crew members survived. However, at least 18 people sustained injuries, including a child who was later reported to be in stable condition. The crash temporarily halted operations at Canada’s busiest airport and raised concerns over flight safety.
Harsh Weather Conditions and a Sudden Crash
Toronto had been experiencing harsh weather conditions throughout the day, with strong winds and remnants of a weekend snowstorm affecting airport operations. Air traffic controllers had informed the Delta pilots about wind gusts reaching 38 mph as they approached the runway. They also cautioned that another aircraft would be landing ahead of them.
Within moments of this communication, the CRJ900 aircraft flipped, hit the ground, and burst into flames. Witnesses described the terrifying impact, with one passenger saying that the plane seemed to turn sideways before slamming onto the runway. The force of the crash left passengers suspended upside down in their seats, held in place by their seatbelts.
Emergency Evacuation Amid Fire and Chaos
Firefighters arrived quickly and doused the aircraft with thick layers of fire-retardant foam. Video footage showed the plane’s frame melted around the engine, with black streaks of residue marking its sides. Passengers scrambled to release themselves from their seats. Some fell to the floor as they unbuckled, while others struggled to gain their footing.
One passenger described the chaotic moments after impact, saying he and his seatmate released their belts, fell to the ceiling—now serving as the floor—and rushed to escape. Flight attendants guided evacuees through the emergency exits, instructing them to leave their belongings behind, though some still managed to carry small bags.
As people exited the plane, they were met with blasts of cold wind and falling fire-retardant foam. They jumped several feet onto the icy tarmac, hurrying away from the burning wreckage. Many huddled together for warmth, looking back in shock at the overturned aircraft.
Flight Disruptions at Toronto Airport
Following the crash, Toronto Pearson temporarily shut down all five of its runways, leading to major flight disruptions. By the afternoon, more than 200 flights had been canceled, with some flights diverted to Montreal and other nearby airports.
By 5 p.m. local time, Toronto airport officials announced that three runways would reopen, allowing some flights to resume. However, the two runways where the accident occurred remained closed for further investigation. Officials stated that these areas would be out of service for several days as Canadian and American aviation authorities worked to determine the cause of the crash.
Investigators Search for Answers
Authorities have yet to determine what caused the aircraft to overturn so violently upon landing. Investigators will examine flight data, weather conditions, and aircraft maintenance records to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
The incident adds to growing concerns over aviation safety, coming just weeks after a deadly midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. While all passengers in the Delta crash survived, the event serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of stringent safety protocols.
As investigators work to uncover the cause of the crash, the focus remains on supporting the passengers, crew, and first responders who faced a terrifying ordeal on what should have been a routine landing.
