Delta jet crash in Toronto under investigation as 21 injured

Canadian investigators analyze black boxes after Delta CRJ900 jet flips on landing, leaving 21 injured.

The wreckage of a Delta Air Lines CRJ900 aircraft remains on the runway after a crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on February 18, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston/Reuters

By Widya Putri and Adila Ghina

Canadian investigators have launched a detailed probe into the crash of a Delta Air Lines CRJ900 regional jet, which flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The accident, which occurred on Monday, left 21 people injured, prompting an extensive investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). Officials have sent the aircraft’s black boxes for laboratory analysis as they work to determine the cause of the crash.

Investigators examine flight data and wreckage

A team of more than 20 Canadian investigators is overseeing the probe into the Delta jet, which was operated by the airline’s subsidiary, Endeavor Air. The TSB is receiving support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transport Canada, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Ken Webster, a senior investigator at the TSB, said the initial impact on the runway caused parts of the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to separate, triggering a fire. Video footage captured after the accident showed at least one of the plane’s wings had detached.

Webster cautioned that it remains too early to determine what caused Delta Flight 4819 to crash. The flight originated from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and had 80 people on board, including crew members. Experts note that air crashes typically result from multiple contributing factors.

Weather conditions and landing concerns

At the time of the crash, weather conditions in Toronto included gusting crosswinds and blowing snow, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24. These conditions may have played a role in the accident.

Video footage widely shared on social media captured the jet’s descent and landing. Aviation safety experts observed that the landing appeared relatively flat, lacking the usual “flare” maneuver in which pilots pull the nose up to slow the aircraft before touchdown.

John Cox, a U.S. aviation safety expert, noted that the landing was unusually firm, raising questions about whether external conditions or pilot control played a role. However, he stressed that investigators are still collecting data and that full analytics will come later.

Aircraft details and structural damage

The CRJ900 aircraft involved in the crash was 16 years old and manufactured by Canada’s Bombardier. It was powered by engines from GE Aerospace. The regional jet can carry up to 90 passengers.

Following the crash, video footage showed the aircraft resting upside down near the intersection of runway 23 and runway 15 at Toronto Pearson Airport. The damage to the aircraft was significant, with at least one wing detached from the fuselage.

Passenger accounts and emergency response

Passengers onboard Delta Flight 4819 described the terrifying moments of impact. Peter Koukov, a professional skier and videographer from Denver, recalled that everything seemed normal until the aircraft hit the ground.

“It kind of bounced, and it almost felt like we were lifting off again,” Koukov told Reuters. “Then we turned on our side, slid for a little bit, and ended up upside down.”

Despite the chaos, he and a female passenger beside him remained calm. They carefully lowered themselves down from their seats after the aircraft came to rest.

“We didn’t talk the entire flight, but we just hugged for like 10 seconds,” Koukov said. “Then we were like, okay, what’s next? We need to get off this plane.”

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the crash site, assisting passengers in evacuating. Firefighters and medical teams ensured that all 80 people onboard were accounted for.

Injury reports and medical response

Delta Air Lines confirmed that 21 people were transported to local hospitals following the crash. As of Tuesday, 19 of them had been released.

Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, told reporters that the two remaining hospitalized passengers did not have life-threatening injuries.

“It’s really, really incredible when you see that aircraft,” Flint said. “It just makes you thankful for all the safety checks, the flight crew, and the first responders.”

Impact on airport operations and flight delays

The wreckage of the crashed jet is expected to remain at Toronto Pearson Airport for at least another 48 hours as investigators continue their examination. Two runways remain closed due to the incident, further disrupting airport operations.

In addition to the crash-related closures, Toronto Pearson has been dealing with flight delays and cancellations caused by a major snowstorm over the weekend. The storm dumped more than 22 cm (8.6 inches) of snow, further straining the airport’s capacity.

Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, has struggled to recover from the disruptions, canceling approximately 1,290 flights over the past six days. The airline expects continued delays in restoring full operations.

“We anticipate it may take several more days, depending on the weather, to return to fully normal operations,” said Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Craig Landry in a statement.

Air Canada noted that nearly half of its flights and customers pass through Toronto Pearson on a daily basis, making the airport’s operational challenges particularly significant.

Investigation continues as authorities seek answers

As Canadian and U.S. investigators continue their analysis, officials will examine flight data, pilot actions, weather conditions, and aircraft maintenance records to determine the exact cause of the crash.

The black box data will be crucial in understanding what happened during the final moments before impact. Investigators are expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks, with a full report likely taking months to complete.

For now, airport officials, airlines, and passengers are dealing with the immediate effects of the crash as Toronto Pearson Airport works to restore full capacity.