A Delta Air Lines regional jet, Flight 4819, crashed upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon, resulting in injuries to at least 18 individuals. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. ET when the CRJ-900 aircraft, which had originated from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, flipped over on the runway. All 80 passengers and crew members on board were evacuated safely. However, two individuals suffered severe injuries and were airlifted in critical condition.
In response to the accident, Delta canceled all remaining flights to and from Toronto for the day and issued travel waivers for affected passengers. Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to first responders and staff for their assistance during the incident.
The Toronto airport was experiencing challenging weather conditions, with significant snowfall and wind gusts up to 40 mph, which may have contributed to the crash. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has initiated an investigation into the incident, with the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States also participating. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that FAA investigators were en route to Toronto to assist.
The crash follows a recent fatal midair collision in Washington, D.C., that resulted in the loss of 67 lives. This incident has raised concerns about aviation safety, particularly in light of recent layoffs within the FAA, which have affected air traffic controllers. Despite these layoffs, a spokesperson emphasized that the agency continues to hire essential personnel focused on safety.
Flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport were temporarily halted following the crash but resumed by 5 p.m. ET. The investigation into the causes of the crash is ongoing.