Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions, images, and video which some readers may find distressing.
All 80 passengers on the Delta Air Lines flight that crashed and overturned in Toronto yesterday were safely evacuated, though an investigation into the cause continues.
The incident occurred yesterday (February 17) at approximately 3:30 pm Eastern time. Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crashed and flipped upside down while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada, after departing from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft carried 80 people, including 76 passengers and four crew members. According to officials, everyone was safely evacuated, though at least 18 individuals were taken to the hospital with injuries.
A recording from ‘LiveATC.net’ captured the communication between an air traffic controller and the Delta Air Lines pilots before the crash. The controller instructed: “Endeavor Air 4819. Turn right heading 210. Descent to 3,000. Cleared ILS 23 approach.”
A voice replied: “Alright heading 210. Down to 3,000. Cleared through the ILS, 23. Endeavor 4819.”
However, the air traffic controller then warned of wind conditions measuring ’27’ with gusts ’33’, and despite the clearance for landing on Runway 23, the plane ‘may get a slight bump’ with ‘an aircraft in front of it.’
After the plane was again cleared for landing, another pilot voice stated: “We need crash fire rescue on the runway.”
A confirmation followed that the plane had ‘crashed’ and emergency services were ‘needed,’ with air traffic control responding: “Yeah, we’re on it. We got someone coming out.”
In a separate audio exchange between air traffic control and a nearby Medevac flight, the controller informed: “LifeFlight 1, Medevac, just so you are aware, there are people outside walking around the aircraft there.”
The Medevac pilot acknowledged seeing the crash and added: “The aircraft is upside down and burning.”
Passengers used social media to discuss the crash. One posted footage after leaving the plane, and another shared a video from inside the jet shortly after it flipped over.
A passenger, Ashley Zook, posted a Snapchat video from within the plane, captioned: “My plane crashed. I’m upside down.”
She can be heard exclaiming: “What the f**k.”
Zook also posted a video from outside the aircraft, showing the plane overturned on the ground with other passengers nearby. “I was just in a plane crash. Oh my God,” she can be heard saying in the video shared by CBC.
Another passenger, John Nelson, used Facebook to report the crash and the plane’s upside-down position, noting that emergency personnel were present.
“Most people are going to be OK, we’re all getting off, there’s some smoke going on,” he narrated.
Pearson CEO Deborah Flint confirmed later that day: “We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries.”
According to medical transport company Ornge, three individuals sustained critical injuries, as reported by The Independent. Their identities have not been released, but they include a child, a woman in her 40s, and a man in his 60s.
In a statement on Twitter, Delta News Hub stated: “Initial reports were that there are no fatalities. Several customers with injuries were transported to area hospitals.”
“Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted.”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation into the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated: “The NTSB is leading a team of U.S. investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada with their investigation of today’s accident of a Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ900 at Toronto Pearson International Airport.”
“Per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13, any information about the investigation will be released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.”
Several experts have suggested that weather conditions were a significant factor in the crash.
Delta Air Lines’ CEO has also issued a statement regarding the incident.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, as reported by The Independent: “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport.”
“I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site.”