Chaos unfolded at Toronto Pearson Airport on February 17, 2025, when a Delta Connection CRJ-900, operated by Endeavor Air, crash-landed during a routine landing amid strong winds. The incident, captured on multiple videos and confirmed by air traffic control audio recordings, has left passengers, airport authorities, and the aviation community in shock.
The crash occurred on Monday afternoon, when Delta Connection flight 4819 took off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with 80 people on board—76 passengers and four crew members. As the aircraft attempted to land at Toronto Pearson Airport, strong gusts of wind, reported to be up to 40 miles per hour at ground level, likely played a significant role in destabilizing the flight. Just twenty minutes after takeoff, air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane, setting off a frantic search and rescue operation.
According to statements from the Covington Police Department and eyewitness reports, emergency services were quick to respond. Audio recordings from the airport’s air traffic control captured the tense moments as one controller announced, “This airplane just crashed,” followed moments later by another voice confirming, “The aircraft’s upside down and burning.” These recordings provided a harrowing glimpse into the chaos that ensued after the impact.
The wreckage was found just a short distance from the end of the runway, nestled in the snow-covered area near the runway’s edge. Passengers began evacuating immediately—some were seen climbing through emergency exits while others were assisted by flight attendants amid the disarray inside the plane. Despite the severity of the crash, which left the aircraft overturned and on fire, a remarkable fact emerged: no fatalities were reported.
However, at least 18 people sustained injuries during the crash. Three of these injuries were critical—one involving a four-year-old child who was transported to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, while the other two critically injured individuals were airlifted to trauma centers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and St. Michael’s Hospital, respectively.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the accident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, with the plane coming down on Runway 23R near Runway 15L. In the immediate aftermath, the airport temporarily suspended all flights as emergency crews worked to manage the scene and clear the wreckage.
Videos shared on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube captured the dramatic scene, showing passengers being hurriedly evacuated from the damaged aircraft. One clip, credited to a user on Instagram, showed a passenger climbing out of an emergency exit while others helped guide people away from the wreckage. The fuselage, torn open with debris scattered across the snowy ground, provided a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in air travel.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian addressed the incident in a LinkedIn post, expressing gratitude to the Delta and Endeavor team members, as well as the first responders at the scene. “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport. 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,” Bastian wrote.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also took to X (formerly Twitter) to express relief that all passengers and crew were accounted for, thanking first responders, airport staff, and the dedicated teams that managed the crisis.
As the immediate chaos subsides, authorities are turning their attention to uncovering the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the NTSB stated, “We are investigating the February 17 crash of a Rockwell AC11 (CRJ-900) aircraft near Toronto Pearson. An investigator is expected to arrive on the scene later today.” The investigation will examine various factors, including potential mechanical failures, pilot error, and the impact of the strong winds that were reported at the time of landing.
