Narrow Escape: Delta Flight 4819 Survives Crash Landing in Toronto

A Delta flight from Minneapolis to Toronto faced a chaotic landing, flipping and catching fire, yet all onboard escaped with injuries. Passengers recount a desperate but successful evacuation effort, with 18 requiring treatment.

Delta Flight 4819’s routine descent took a terrifying turn as it approached Toronto Pearson International Airport on a snowy Monday afternoon. The flight, carrying 80 passengers from Minneapolis, encountered high winds, ultimately leading to an emergency landing scenario that would shock everyone onboard.

Upon landing at approximately 2:15 p.m., the aircraft skidded uncontrollably, igniting sparks and flames as it rolled over, ending up on its back with one wing sheared off. Passengers found themselves suspended upside down, with jet fuel cascading against the windows, creating an alarming scene. "The first thought was to escape," recounted passenger Pete Carlson.

Miraculously, thanks to swift actions from both flight attendants and fellow passengers, many managed to exit through emergency exits, navigating through the chaos of the overturned aircraft onto snow-covered ground. Following the ordeal, at least 18 individuals sustained injuries, with one adult and one child listed in critical but stable condition. Fortunately, all were expected to recover, and several of those injured were discharged from medical care by Monday evening, according to Delta's statements.

The Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, operated by Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air, was completing what appeared to be a standard journey before the unexpected turbulence prompted this catastrophic mishap. Passenger Pete Koukov, a professional skier, described the abrupt shift. “The moment the wheels touched down, we were thrown sideways,” he said, reflecting on the chaos.

Airport officials have indicated that the plane encountered wind gusts reaching around 40 miles per hour during its landing attempt. Investigations will aim to ascertain more details about the incident and assess any contributing factors to this alarming crash landing in the heart of a major metropolitan area.