On Monday, February 17, 2025, a dramatic scene unfolded at Toronto Pearson International Airport when a Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ-900 (Reg. N932XJ), operating as Flight DL4819 from Minneapolis, crash-landed and ended up upside down on the runway. The incident occurred amid challenging weather conditions, with the aircraft, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, experiencing a significant mishap that left the plane inverted on the snowy tarmac. The flight, which was operated by Delta's regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, took off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was scheduled to land at Toronto Pearson at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time. Upon approach, the aircraft encountered conditions that included blowing snow and winds gusting up to 40 mph, which could have contributed to the accident. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined, but preliminary reports suggest that the plane might have suffered from a flap actuator failure, leading to a hard landing and the subsequent overturning of the aircraft.
Winds and ice may have been a factor in the #planecrash at the Toronto Airport.
— primalkey (@primalkey) February 17, 2025
The Delta Airlines Mitsubishi CRJ900 (N932XJ) crashed into the runway during a hard landing at Toronto Pearson Airport due to a flap actuator failure, ends up upside down. pic.twitter.com/H73V1gORIG
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Emergency services responded with commendable speed, reaching the site within minutes of the crash. The airport's fire chief, Todd Aitken, confirmed that the rescue operations went according to plan, with all passengers and crew being accounted for. The immediate response included evacuating all occupants from the wreckage, which was a critical factor in ensuring there were no fatalities. However, the incident resulted in injuries, with reports varying slightly but confirming that at least 18 passengers were treated for injuries, three of whom were critically injured, including one child. The fuselage of the CRJ-900, although upside down, remained largely intact, but significant damage was evident. Both wings and the main landing gear were detached from the aircraft upon impact, and the tail section was also severely compromised. Photos from the scene showed emergency crews dousing the aircraft with foam to prevent any potential fires, with passengers visible evacuating the plane, some even seen walking on the snow-covered runway.
The crash led to the temporary suspension of all flights at Toronto Pearson, one of Canada's busiest airports, causing significant delays and the diversion of at least 46 flights to other airports like Ottawa and Montreal. Two runways were closed for the investigation, which is being led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Airport CEO Deborah Flint expressed relief that there were no fatalities, crediting the swift and efficient response of the airport's emergency teams for the relatively minor injuries sustained by those on board. She also noted that the closed runways would impact operations for the next few days, urging travelers to anticipate delays.
The CRJ-900, known for its reliability and common use in regional travel, is designed to handle adverse weather, but this incident has raised questions about performance under extreme conditions. Delta Air Lines issued a statement expressing concern for those affected and committed to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. This event marks a significant aviation incident at Toronto Pearson, highlighting both the risks associated with flying in severe weather and the effectiveness of emergency preparedness at major airports. As investigations continue, more details about the mechanical and human factors involved will come to light, potentially shaping future safety protocols for similar aircraft under challenging weather scenarios.