The Delta Air Lines regional jet rolled over during a landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on February 17, 2025. Due to a snowstorm and powerful winds, 18 passengers suffered injuries. There were 80 individuals on the plane, of which 76 were passengers and four were crew members, on their way from Minneapolis.
Injuries and Medical Response
Out of 18 individuals that were injured, three had suffered critical injuries, one of which was a child. The rest of the 15 were also transported to medical facilities for treatment, although numerous ones have now been discharged.
The accident took place under trying weather conditions and was managed well by emergency attendants. Miraculously, there were no deaths, owed to their swift response and robust construction of the plane.
Weather Conditions at the Time of the Incident
When the accident occurred, the Toronto Pearson Airport was reporting blowing gusts and snow. There was a cover of snow over the runway as well as a report of gusting crosswinds, both of which will have contributed to the accident. The plane, according to FlightRadar24, landed at 2:13 p.m. after having flown for 86 minutes, and stopped adjacent to the crossroads of two runways.
Cause Investigation
Canadian officials have begun an investigation to find out what caused the crash. The aircraft, a CRJ900 model made by Bombardier and flown by Delta’s Endeavor Air subsidiary, lost one of its wings in the accident.
While Toronto Pearson’s Fire Chief initially reported that there were no crosswind conditions, some pilots who watched videos of the accident said that gusty winds could have been a factor. The inquiry will be on how the wing detached from the aircraft.
Passenger Description of the Accident
Passenger John Nelson, who was on board the flight, described what happened. He detailed the sound as the airplane came down on land: “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down.” According to Nelson, travelers unbuckled their seat belts, with others requiring guidance as they pushed and pulled people outside the airplane as others freed themselves. The dramatic moment was captured in a video of the plane upside down on the snow-covered runway, as a fire truck sprayed water over the plane.
Airport Delays and Operational Impact
Flights from Toronto Pearson resumed following the accident, but the airport said that there would be delays as the investigation continued. Two runways were closed, disrupting passengers.
Airport president Deborah Flint recognized the operational inconvenience but emphasized the success in avoiding fatalities, which she credited to the first responders on the ground.
Response from Aviation Experts
There have been comments by some aviation authorities on the accident. U.S. safety specialist John Cox wrote that pilots will often need to throttle back or throttle up as well as tweak their flight path in order to manage gusty crosswinds. He added that the aircraft’s engineering and technology saved lives in this anomalous and treacherous set of circumstances.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting the probe into the accident, assisted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. A preliminary investigation report will come out within 30 days. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the present owner of the CRJ plane program, also stated that it would cooperate to the fullest in the investigation.
Aviation Accidents in North America in Recent Years
This accident in Toronto is part of a string of recent North American aviation accidents, including a fatal helicopter crash in Washington, D.C., and crashes of other planes in Philadelphia and Alaska. The accidents have raised questions about air safety and the difficulties of flying in harsh weather conditions.
