A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Toronto crash-landed at Pearson International Airport on Monday, flipping over on the runway with flames briefly visible.
Miraculously, all 80 people on board survived, though 18 sustained injuries, only a few of which were serious.
What Happened?
The CRJ-900 aircraft, operating as flight DL4819, landed around 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) but appeared to strike the runway forcefully. It slid before flipping over, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Footage showed the plane’s right wing potentially hitting the ground or an object on the runway, possibly leading to the collapse of its landing gear.
Analysts believe harsh weather conditions—including strong 38mph (61km/h) winds—may have contributed to the accident.
Aviation experts suspect the pilots attempted a crab maneuver, a landing technique used to counteract crosswinds. However, the aircraft may have hit the ground at too steep an angle, causing it to flip.
How Did Everyone Survive?
Experts have pointed to a combination of factors that made survival possible:
- Structural Integrity: The fuselage remained mostly intact despite the impact.
- High-Impact Seats: The 16G-rated seats absorbed much of the crash’s force.
- Safety Design: Airplane components, including the tray tables and seatbacks, are designed to minimize injury risk.
- Fast Evacuation: Flight attendants were able to direct passengers out quickly.
- Emergency Crews: Firefighters reached the scene within minutes, extinguishing flames and securing the area.
- Passenger Cooperation: Survivors described a collective effort to assist one another.
A Pattern of Recent Plane Crashes
This Toronto crash is the fourth major aviation accident in North America in less than a month. Other recent incidents under investigation include:
- A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 suffered severe landing gear failure in Honolulu.
- A United Airlines Boeing 737 skidded off a snowy runway in Vermont.
- An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 experienced a mid-air emergency when a panel detached.
Authorities are closely examining whether these incidents indicate broader safety concerns in the aviation industry.
