Delta Air Lines Regional Jet Lands Upside Down in Canada, 18 Injured
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) on Monday, February 27, 2023, amid strong winds following a snowstorm. The incident resulted in injuries to 18 of the 80 people on board, according to officials.
Flight DL4819, operating from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Toronto, involved a CRJ900 aircraft operated by Delta’s regional carrier, Endeavor Air.
Critical Injuries and Passenger Accounts
Three passengers sustained critical injuries, including a child, a Canadian air ambulance official confirmed. Fifteen others were also immediately transported to hospitals. Delta Air Lines reported late on Monday that some of the injured passengers have since been released.
Passenger John Nelson shared his harrowing account on Facebook, posting a video of the aftermath showcasing a fire engine spraying water on the plane lying on the snow-covered tarmac. He described the unsettling sequence of events: “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down.” Nelson recounted assisting other passengers who required help unbuckling and exiting the aircraft.
Investigation Launched Amidst Weather Concerns
Canadian authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash, which remains unknown. Toronto Pearson Airport reported high winds and frigid temperatures following a weekend snowstorm that dumped over 22 cm (8.6 inches) of snow.
FlightRadar24 data showed the Delta plane landing at 2:13 p.m. (1913 GMT) after an 86-minute flight. According to the flight tracking website, reported weather conditions at the time of the crash indicated a “gusting crosswind and blowing snow.”
Initial reports from Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken contradicted the presence of crosswinds, stating that the runway was dry. However, several pilots who analyzed videos of the incident disputed this claim. Aviation expert John Cox noted an average crosswind of 19 knots (22 mph) during the landing but emphasized that gusts varied.
Aviation safety experts will analyze why the right wing separated from the aircraft.
Airport Delays and Next Steps
Flights have resumed at Toronto Pearson Airport, but airport president Deborah Flint expressed that operational impacts and delays are expected over the next few days. Two runways remain closed while the investigation continues.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board have dispatched teams of investigators. A preliminary investigation report is expected within 30 days of the incident.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which acquired the CRJ aircraft program from Bombardier in 2020, stated its commitment to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Stay Informed:
For the latest updates on the investigation and the impacts of the incident, please refer to official sources from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and Delta Air Lines.