On February 17, 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operating from Minneapolis to Toronto, experienced a catastrophic landing incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, flipped upside down upon touchdown amidst challenging weather conditions. Miraculously, all occupants survived, though 21 individuals sustained injuries, with three reported in critical but stable condition.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene as the aircraft skidded on the snow-covered runway, overturned, and ignited. Passenger John Nelson recounted, “The wheels touched down and all of a sudden… I just remember being fully sideways and I was looking down and just seeing sparks and flames.” Another passenger, Pete Koukov, captured and shared footage of the chaotic evacuation, highlighting the extensive interior and exterior damage to the plane.
The severe winter storm preceding the incident had deposited over 22 centimeters of snow, and at the time of landing, winds gusted up to 40 mph (65 km/h) with temperatures around -8.6 degrees Celsius. These conditions likely contributed to the aircraft’s destabilization during landing.
In the immediate aftermath, Toronto Pearson International Airport suspended operations, leading to the diversion of numerous flights. A British Airways flight from London and a TAP Air Portugal flight from Lisbon were among those forced to return to their points of origin after hours in the air. In total, 44 flights were redirected to alternative airports, including Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton, Chicago O’Hare, and Pittsburgh.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the crash. Preliminary assessments suggest that the combination of adverse weather conditions and potential mechanical issues may have played a role. Former commercial pilot and aviation analyst Matthew “Whiz” Buckley emphasized the importance of examining both environmental factors and aircraft performance data to determine the exact cause.
Delta Air Lines’ CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed relief that there were no fatalities and commended the swift response of emergency personnel. He stated, “We are deeply grateful for the rapid and professional actions of the first responders and medical teams. Our primary concern is the well-being of our passengers and crew, and we are cooperating fully with the investigative authorities.”
This event marks the first major aviation accident at Toronto Pearson International Airport since 2005. As investigations continue, the focus remains on enhancing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
