A Delta Air Lines aircraft attempting to land at Toronto Pearson Airport during a blizzard crash-landed and flipped over on the runway Monday afternoon. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated for Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air, belly-landed with one wing sheared off. Miraculously, all 80 people aboard survived the crash landing.
Chaos on the Tarmac
Travelers scrambled to exit as flames and black smoke poured out of the plane. Photos and videos of the scene showed people exiting through the front and rear doors, walking across the snow-covered runway as firefighters fought to extinguish the fire.
At least 18 people were hurt, one child and one adult in critical but not life-threatening condition. The remaining passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries and were taken to local hospitals.
Passenger Accounts: “We Ended Up Completely Upside Down”
Expert skier Pete Koukov, 28, was among the passengers and remembered the terrifying moment the plane touched down.
“The second the wheels hit the ground, then it all went haywire,” Koukov said. “The next thing I know, we’re sideways.”
Huddled on the left side of the plane, he recalled looking down and seeing sparks and flames on the right side as the plane skidded. The plane flipped over a few seconds later.
“I unbuckled pretty fast and dropped down to the floor—now the ceiling. People were panicking.”
Investigation Underway
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m., though the early FAA reports listed the time as 2:45 p.m. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board assisting.
Harsh Weather Conditions
Toronto Pearson Airport was already experiencing delays due to back-to-back winter storms. The winds were gusting up to a maximum of 38 mph at the time of the crash, with drifting snow further reducing visibility.
Recent Aviation Accidents
This crash joins a mounting roster of recent weeks’ aviation accidents, such as a midair collision over the Potomac River and a deadly medical plane crash. Though the CRJ900 has a good safety record, this accident will probably amplify scrutiny of winter operations and safety procedures.
Even though the horrific experience, all 80 passengers survived, credit to the quick response of the crew and emergency procedures.
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