A Delta Airlines flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday afternoon as severe winter weather conditions plagued the region. Flight 4819, which was carrying 80 passengers, experienced a catastrophic incident while attempting to land amid powerful winds and heavy snowfall. The aircraft flipped upside down, and one of its wings was severely damaged.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, miraculously no fatalities were reported. However, 18 people sustained injuries, with three passengers listed in critical condition. The crash sent shockwaves through social media, where videos showed the plane lying belly-up on the runway, with plumes of smoke billowing from the fuselage. Rescue teams and firefighters rushed to the scene, working quickly to evacuate the passengers and control the situation.
One video circulating online allegedly captured the moment of the crash landing, showing a fireball erupting as the plane slammed into the tarmac.
The plane, operated by Delta’s regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, had departed from Minneapolis earlier in the day. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Despite the dangerous conditions, airport officials had deemed the weather suitable for landing at the time of the accident. However, a passenger reported that there were no issues during the flight leading up to the crash.
Eastern Canada had been grappling with a powerful wind system on Sunday, accompanied by heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Toronto Pearson Airport briefly suspended operations following the incident, but flights have since resumed.
Experts have suggested that the survival of passengers was largely due to the design of the aircraft and the quick actions of the crew. Passenger seats are engineered to withstand forces up to 16 times the force of gravity, which helps prevent injuries in turbulence or impact. Additionally, authorities emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts, which played a key role in minimizing injury during the crash.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the cause of this harrowing accident.
