Chaos unfolded at Toronto Pearson Airport as a routine landing took a terrifying turn, leaving air traffic controllers scrambling and passengers in shock.
A Delta Connection flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson Airport, flipping upside down and catching fire upon impact.
Audio recordings from the airport’s air traffic control reveal the tense moments following the accident, including initial reactions and emergency response efforts.
A Delta airlines plane sits on its roof after crashing upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, on February 17, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The distressing incident unfolded on Monday afternoon (February 17, 2025) when Delta Connection flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, attempted to land amid strong winds.
The flight, which departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, carried 80 people, including 76 passengers and four crew members.
Shortly after the crash, an air traffic controller was heard alerting others, “This airplane just crashed.” Moments later, another voice confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, “The aircraft there’s upside down and burning.”
Despite the wreckage, audio recordings indicated that some passengers had exited the aircraft. “Just so you’re aware, there’s people also walking around the aircraft there,” one observer noted.
Emergency responders were immediately dispatched, with at least one MedEvac aircraft directed to assist.
Reports indicate that the plane faced gusts of up to 40 miles per hour at ground level as it attempted to land. The high winds likely played a role in the crash.
A Delta airlines plane after crashing upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, on February 17, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Miraculously, no fatalities were reported. However, at least 18 people sustained injuries, three of whom were in critical condition. Among them was a four-year-old child transported to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
The other two critically injured individuals were airlifted to separate trauma centers — Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and St. Michael’s Hospital.
The Delta plane crash led to an immediate halt in operations at Toronto Pearson Airport. Flights were temporarily suspended as emergency crews worked to manage the situation. Normal operations resumed at approximately 5 p.m.
A Delta airlines plane is seen after crashing upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, on February 17, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In the wake of the crash, key figures have spoken out, offering support and gratitude for those involved in the response efforts.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian addressed the incident in a LinkedIn post, writing, “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.”
Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian attends Governor Kathy Hochul announcement at LaGuardia airport in New York on June 1, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
He went on to say, “We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information on news.delta.com as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also acknowledged the situation, posting on X, “I’m relieved to learn that all passengers and crew are accounted for after today’s plane crash at Toronto Pearson. Thank you to the first responders, crew, and airport staff for their quick actions and commitment to keeping everyone safe.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at the U.S.-Canada Economic Summit at Evergreen Brick Works on February 7, 2025, in Toronto, Canada | Source: Getty Images
As authorities continue their investigation, new details are emerging about the chaotic aftermath. Videos captured the moment rescue teams evacuated passengers, highlighting the intensity of the situation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, a CRJ-900 aircraft operated by Endeavor Air, overturned upon impact while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time on Monday, February 17.
A passenger climbs through an emergency exit while other individuals assist them down from the wrecked fuselage | Source: Instagram.com/eggxit
Footage from the scene captured the chaos. Passengers climbed through emergency exits as others helped them to safety. Inside, seats were displaced, and a flight attendant guided people through the wreckage.
Inside the plane, a flight attendant assists passengers as they navigate through overturned seats and scattered debris | Source: Instagram.com/eggxit
The plane’s fuselage was torn open, with debris scattered across the snow-covered ground. Smoke was seen bursting from the aircraft as people rushed to escape.
More passengers exit the damaged Delta plane onto the snow-covered ground as others assist in the evacuation | Source: Instagram.com/eggxit
The FAA said emergency crews responded quickly, evacuating all passengers and crew members.
Smoke bursts from the plane as more passengers climb out and move away across the snow-covered ground | Source: Instagram.com/eggxit
The airline stated that its primary focus is assisting those affected and has activated a Passenger Inquiry Center for families seeking information. It provided contact numbers for inquiries in Canada and the United States.
“In Canada, these individuals may reach out via 1-866-629-4775. In the United States, they may connect using 1-800-997-5454,” the statement read.
Following the crash, Delta canceled all flights to and from Toronto Pearson for the remainder of the evening and issued a travel waiver for impacted passengers. The airline urged customers to check their flight status through the Fly Delta app.
Endeavor Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines based in Minneapolis, operated the aircraft. Delta has pledged to provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.
Newly released air traffic control audio, shared by CP24, captured the moments after the crash. In the recording, a controller asked, “Where’s the crash?” The response confirmed it came down on Runway 23R near Runway 15L.
A recording from a nearby medevac helicopter captured its crew communicating with air traffic control after the Delta Air Lines crash. A pilot reported seeing people around the aircraft. The audio also confirmed the plane was “upside down and burning.”
As investigators determine the cause, aviation expert John Cox emphasized how rare such incidents are. “It’s very rare to see something like this,” said Cox, CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems. He noted that while there have been a few cases of airplanes overturning during takeoff, such events remain uncommon.
Cox, a former U.S. Air pilot with 25 years of experience and a background in National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations, emphasized the CRJ-900’s reliability. He noted that the aircraft has been in service for decades and is built to handle challenging weather conditions.
While acknowledging the windy conditions at the time, the veteran pilot explained that the aircraft was “designed and certified” to operate safely in such environments. He also added, “The pilots are trained and experienced to handle that.”
Meanwhile, the FAA stated that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation and will provide updates. The U.S. NTSB will reportedly send a team to assist in the Canadian investigation.
According to AP, the last major crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport was on August 2, 2005, when an Air France Airbus A340 from Paris skidded off the runway in stormy weather and caught fire. All 309 passengers and crew survived.
