A Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ900ER carrying 76 passengers and four crew members crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 5, 2024. The flight, which departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, ended with the aircraft flipping upside down upon landing. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Peel Regional Paramedic Services initially reported that 15 people sustained injuries in the crash, including two adults and a child in critical condition. Emergency workers transported the injured passengers to area hospitals, with two being airlifted to trauma centers. A child was also taken to a specialized children’s hospital.
However, a report from Reuters mentioned that there was a total of 18 injured with zero fatalities.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, with no official details released yet. Peel Regional Police reported that the plane caught fire after landing, but they have not disclosed what may have caused it. The incident took place amid strong winds following a snowstorm, which had already affected operations at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Passenger John Nelson shared a video of the crash aftermath on Facebook, showing a fire engine spraying water on the overturned aircraft. Speaking to CNN, he recalled how everything seemed normal until the aircraft suddenly flipped over. “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down,” he said. Nelson managed to unbuckle himself and get to the ground while helping other passengers do the same.
Flight Disruptions and Airport Impact
The crash caused Toronto Pearson International Airport to halt operations for more than two hours, resulting in flight delays and diversions. Flights were redirected to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, while passengers at Pearson faced extended wait times as officials worked to clear the runways.
The Delta flight touched down at 2:13 p.m. and came to a stop near the intersection of runways 23 and 15. Live air traffic control recordings revealed an emergency worker reporting to the tower, stating, “The aircraft is upside down and burning,” as passengers were seen walking away from the wreckage.
Toronto Pearson Airport President Deborah Flint acknowledged the quick response of first responders. “We are very grateful that there is no loss of life and relatively minor injuries,” she said at a press conference.
Authorities Begin Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Meanwhile, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which acquired the CRJ aircraft program from Bombardier in 2020, confirmed that it would fully cooperate with the investigation.
This crash follows several recent aviation incidents in North America. An Army helicopter collided with a CRJ-700 passenger jet in Washington, resulting in 67 fatalities. Another accident in Philadelphia involving a medical transport plane left at least seven people dead, while a passenger plane crash in Alaska claimed 10 lives.
As the investigation moves forward, Toronto Pearson Airport is expected to experience continued flight disruptions. Two runways remain closed as authorities examine the scene, while airlines work to adjust their schedules to minimize delays.
