A Delta Air Lines regional jet, operating as Endeavor Air flight DL4819, flipped upside down upon landing at Canada’s Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday.
The aircraft accident occurred amidst challenging weather conditions following a weekend snowstorm, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board. As at the time of filing this report, Delta plane crash is now under investigation by Canadian authorities.
Delta CRJ900 Incident: The Injuries and Aftermath
Of the 80 passengers and crew members aboard the Delta flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, three suffered critical injuries, including a child.
Fifteen others were immediately transported to local hospitals for treatment. Delta Airlines later confirmed that some of the injured have been released. The aircraft involved was a 16-year-old CRJ900, manufactured by Bombardier and powered by GE Aerospace engines.
This CRJ900, typically seating up to 90 passengers, was operated by Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. Video footage from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft, with at least one wing detached. The Delta plane crash investigation will focus on the structural integrity of the CRJ900.
How It Happened: Toronto Pearson Airport’s Weather and Landing Conditions
Toronto Pearson Airport had been experiencing high winds and frigid temperatures following a weekend snowstorm that deposited over 22 cm (8.6 inches) of snow. These challenging weather conditions are now being noted down as a potential contributing factor to the Delta plane crash.
Meanwhile, FlightRadar24 data indicates the Delta plane touched down in Toronto at 2:13 p.m. (19:13 GMT) after an 86-minute flight, landing near the intersection of runway 23 and runway 15. The flight tracking website reported “gusting crosswind and blowing snow” at the time of the crash. However, Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken stated that the runway was dry and there were no crosswind conditions.
This particular discrepancy is a key area of focus for investigators examining the Delta Airlines crash. Aviation safety expert John Cox noted an average crosswind of 19 knots (22 mph) from the right at the time of landing.
Delta Plane Crash Investigation and Canadian Authorities Response
Canadian authorities, including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), have launched a full investigation into the Delta plane crash. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is also assisting in the investigation. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, as per global aviation standards.
While flights have resumed at Toronto Pearson, airport president Deborah Flint warned of potential operational impacts and delays in the coming days due to the closure of two runways for the investigation. She praised the first responders for their efforts in ensuring no fatalities resulted from the Delta plane accident.
Previous Incidents of Planes Flipping Upon Landing
This Delta plane crash is notable for the aircraft flipping upside down. While rare, similar incidents have occurred with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, including a fatal crash in Tokyo in 2009.
This Delta Airlines incident, along with other recent crashes in North America (and South Korea), including an Army helicopter collision with a CRJ-700 in Washington, D.C., a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia, and a passenger plane crash in Alaska, have starkly shown the need for continuous improvement in aviation safety practices.
