A Delta Air Lines plane flying from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport made a dramatic crash-landing as it flipped over at Toronto Pearson International Airport, with one child among the 18 people sustaining injuries.
Carrying 80 people on board, including 76 passengers and four crew members, Delta flight 4819 slammed into the tarmac at around 2:15 p.m. ET on Monday. Three helicopters and two ambulances responded to the scene, according to medical transport company Ornge.
All passengers and crew onboard the overturned CRJ900 twin-jet are believed to have survived, with the majority of people sustaining minor to moderate injuries.
A pediatric patient was transported via ambulance to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and is believed to be in good condition. An adult male in his 60s and a female patient in her 40s were transported to area hospitals via helicopter.
It’s not yet known why the plane turned over upon arrival. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation and has deployed a team to the scene. Departures and arrivals have resumed after Toronto airport operations briefly ceased due to the crash.
Key Points
- At least 18 people, including one child, transported to nearby hospitals
- Investigation underway after Delta plane crashes in Toronto, fire chief says
- Video: Delta plane lies on back after Toronto airport crash
- All 80 crew and passengers survive
Delta Air Lines flight appears to suffer crash landing at Toronto airport
11:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
A Delta Air Lines plane appears to have crash landed at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Eighty passengers were on board the plane traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto and no casualties have been reported so far, according to the airport.
“Toronto Pearson is aware of an incident upon landing involving a Delta Airlines plane arriving from Minneapolis,” the airport wrote on X on Monday. “Emergency teams are responding. All passengers and crew are accounted for.”
The Independent has reached out to Delta and the FAA for more information.
Read more from Kelly Rissman:
Delta CEO issues statement after crash
11:07
,
James Liddell
Delta CEO Ed Bastian has issued a statement in the wake of flight 4819 flipping over on the Toronto Pearson International Airport tarmac:
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport. I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site.
“We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information on http://news.delta.com as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe.”
British Airways flight from London was immediately behind the crash jet
10:43
,
Simon Calder
British Airways flight BA93 from London Heathrow was immediately behind the Delta jet from Minneapolis that crash-landed.
The Boeing 777 was below 4,000 feet on the final approach to Toronto’s Lester B Pearson airport when the incident happened.The captain commanded a “go-around”.
The aircraft turned left towards Lake Ontario, climbed to 5,000 feet and then flew a figure-of-eight to line up again for the approach.
By this time the airport had closed. The pilots diverted to Hamilton, about 40 miles south east of Toronto, and landed safely at 2.50pm. At no point was the flight in danger.
Transport Sec Duffy shifts blame for recent air disasters onto his predecessor
10:12
,
James Liddell
Mayor Pete failed for four years to address the air traffic controller shortage and upgrade our outdated, World War II-era air traffic control system. In less than four weeks, we have already begun the process and are engaging the smartest minds in the entire world.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 18, 2025
Here’s the… https://t.co/LCL1dswC2T
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is deploying an investigative team
09:53
,
Michelle Del Rey
The Canadian agency announced the development on X.
#TSBAir is deploying a team to investigate an aircraft accident at Toronto / Lester B. Pearson International Airport, ON. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence. #media
— TSB of Canada (@TSBCanada) February 17, 2025
Is it still safe to fly?
09:13
,
James Liddell
Area air ambulance organization confirms injuries
08:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
In a written statement, a spokesperson for Ornge confirmed three air ambulance helicopters and two ambulances responded to the scene.
One pediatric patient was transported via ambulance to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Two adults — an adult male patient in his 60s and a female patient in her 40s — have been transported to area hospitals via helicopter.
Video: Delta plane lies on back after Toronto airport crash
07:47
'Leave cabin baggage behind and save your hide’
07:44
,
Simon Calder
Footage of the Delta Airlines accident in Toronto shows some evacuated passengers clutching their cabin baggage.
One captain for a leading US airline told The Independent: “It was distressing to see some after the evacuation with personal belongings. Always leave your stuff behind and save your hide.
”The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifies: “The contents of briefings and safety cards should ensure that clear instructions are given to ‘leave carry-on baggage behind’ in the event of an evacuation.
“Carry-on baggage during an emergency egress can put other passengers at risk by delaying passenger egress, injuring passengers, obstructing the exit, or potentially damaging an evacuation slide.”
But in the 2016 evacuation of an American Airlines at Chicago, passengers evacuated from all usable exits with carry-on baggage. A member of cabin crew tried to stop a passenger from taking their baggage during the evacuation.
The FAA reported: “The passenger refused to follow the crew’s commands, and the flight attendant was forced to relent to continue the evacuation.”
All passengers survived 2005 crash at Toronto airport
07:39
,
Namita Singh
The last accident while landing at Toronto airport was on 2 August 2005. Air France flight AF357 from Paris touched down during a severe thunderstorm. The Airbus A340 ran off the end of the runway into the Etobicoke Creek ravine and burst into flames.
All 309 passengers and crew survived. Canada’s then transport minister, Jean Lapierre, declared it “a miracle”. In fact, the successful evacuation was down to design, training and execution.
Lessons learnt in the last British Airways fatal accident – at Manchester in 1985 – led to much improved evacuation procedures worldwide.
A commercial pilot with a leading US carrier has just told The Independent's Simon Calder: “The survival of all souls with both the Toronto accidents I would largely attribute to great advances in manufacturing and technology and rapid crew action during evacuation.”
Hong Kong crash in 1999 may hold clues to what happened to Delta plane
07:38
,
Namita Singh
Canadian air accident investigators at Toronto are already at work at the crash scene, and will be joined by US counterparts from the National Transportation Safety Board. They will consider every aspect of the crash, with the aim of reducing risk in future.
While it is far too early to say what caused the Delta Airlines DL4819 accident, investigators will consider if it may have followed a similarly sequence of events to a crash in Hong Kong in 1999, reports our travel correspondent Simon Calder.
China Airlines flight CI642 from Bangkok to Hong Kong was operated by an MD11 aircraft with 315 passengers and crew. It landed very heavily while rolling to the right.
The right wing and engine became detached. At this stage the left wing was still providing lift and tilted the plane over.
A fire broke out, which claimed the lives of two passengers on board. A third passenger died later in hospital. The remaining 312 people survived.
FAA issues statement following layoffs
05:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
Nearly 300 Federal Aviation Administration employees have been laid off as a series of aircraft disasters continue to impact the US.
In a statement responding to the layoffs, the agency said: “The FAA continues to hire and onboard air traffic controllers and safety professionals, including mechanics and others who support them.
“The agency has retained employees who perform safety-critical functions.”
In video: Investigation underway after Delta plane crashes in Toronto, fire chief says
05:06
,
Namita Singh
British Airways flight to Toronto turns around in mid-Atlantic
05:01
,
Namita Singh
British Airways flight BA99 from London Heathrow to Toronto was in mid-Atlantic, three-and-a-half hours into its flight, when news came through of the crash at its destination.
The pilots and airline took the decision to turn around and fly back to Heathrow, landing just after midnight.
Passengers aboard the Boeing 777 spent seven hours on a “flight to nowhere”.
Had they continued, they would have been able to land normally – as many intercontinental did, including an Air Canada flight from London Heathrow, writes our travel correspondent Simon Calder.
FAA says all 80 crew and passengers evacuated
03:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
The Federal Aviation Administration says all Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 passengers and crew have been evacuated.
There were 80 people on board the aircraft, according to the agency. The flight was being operated by Endeavor Air and crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport around 2:45 p.m. local time.
In photos: Toronto crash
03:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
Officials providing additional information Tuesday
02:01
,
Michelle Del Rey
More information will be provided as it’s available. Authorities are expected to hold more briefings on Tuesday as the situation continues to unfold.
Todd Aitken, Fire Chief of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, says 18 injured
01:37
,
Michelle Del Rey
Aitken confirmed the number of injured individuals is 18.
He said he would not speculate about what led to the crash but said the runway was dry and there were no crosswind conditions.
Earlier in the day, experts said harsh winds in the area might’ve contributed to the disaster.
Fire officials responded to the emergency with six engines, two district chiefs, a command vehicle and a tanker.
Officials did not answer questions during the news briefing.
About 30 percent of people on board were Canadian
01:00
,
Michelle Del Rey
Toronto Airport CEO Deborah Flint revealed 22 out of 76 people on board the flight were Canadian.
The remainder came from other countries, she said.
Hospital confirms child is in 'good condition'
00:47
,
Michelle Del Rey
SickKids, a Toronto hospital that received an injured pediatric patient, confirmed the child’s condition hours after they were transported to the medical facility.
“For privacy reasons, we are not able to share patient information,” a spokesperson said.
Airport CEO says 17 people injured
00:39
,
Michelle Del Rey
At least 17 people have been injured in the airport crash, Toronto Pearson CEO Deborah Flint said.
The development conflicts with earlier reports, specifically one from Delta Airlines, which said 18 people had been injured in the incident.
“At this time, we do not know of any of those passengers having critical injuries.” An area ambulance service said one child and two adults had been injured
Airport CEO says 'no loss of life' on crash
00:27
,
Michelle Del Rey
Deborah Flint CEO of Toronto Pearson International Airport confirmed there are no fatalities stemming from the incident in a news conference Monday evening.
Airport operators anticipate ongoing delays as two runways will be closed to allow investigators to examine the crash site.
“No airport CEO wants to have these type of press conferences,” Flint said, thanking emergency responders for their “heroic work.”
Some of the passengers and crew on board Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 have been reunited with their families and friends.
Those that haven’t are being cared for by airport staff as they wait for their loved ones, Flint continued.
She encouraged travelers to check with their respective airlines for any delays to their flight plans.
LISTEN: Air traffic control audio from crash
Monday 17 February 2025 23:51
,
Michelle Del Rey
Press conference to start momentarily
Monday 17 February 2025 23:43
,
Michelle Del Rey
Canadian officials are holding a news briefing to provide an update on the transportation disaster.
The news conference is due to start at 6:30 pm local time.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford releases statement on crash
Monday 17 February 2025 23:25
,
Michelle Del Rey
I’m relieved there are no casualties after the incident at Toronto Pearson. Provincial officials are in contact with the airport and local authorities and will provide any help that’s needed.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 17, 2025
Delta increases number of injured to 18
Monday 17 February 2025 22:59
,
Michelle Del Rey
A spokesperson for Delta Airlines said 18 people were transported to area hospitals following the crash.
Initial reports said at least 15 people had been harmed in the incident.
“Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted,” the airline said in a statement.
Delta is suspending flights to and from the Toronto airport for the remainder of the evening and has issued a travel waiver.
Delta officials are asking people with family and loved ones on the flight to contact 1-866-629-4775 in Canada and 1-800-997-5454 in the United States.
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
“I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he's been in touch with Canadian authorities
Monday 17 February 2025 22:15
,
Michelle Del Rey
Update on Delta crash in Toronto:
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 17, 2025
- FAA investigators are en route to Toronto.
- The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will lead the investigation.
- I’ve been in touch with my counterpart in Canada to offer assistance and help with the investigation.
More to follow.
At least 17 people, including one child, transported to nearby hospitals
Monday 17 February 2025 21:40
,
Michelle Del Rey
One child was transported via ambulance to a children’s hospital, while two adults were transported via air ambulance to other medical facilities, Ornge, an ambulance company that responded to the incident said.
The majority of those injured had minor to moderate injuries.
Many flights diverted after Toronto airport closes
Monday 17 February 2025 21:00
,
Simon Calder
Following the crash landing at 2.13pm local time, dozens of inbound flights have been diverted to other airports in Canada and the US.
First to divert was British Airways flight BA93, which landed at Hamilton airport. This was also the destination of Air Canada from Varadero in Canada and WestJet from Calgary.
Montreal’s Dorval airport took in diverted Air Canada flights from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, San Jose in Costa Rica and Cancun in Mexico.
An Air Canada flight from Vancouver also landed at Montreal, while a second returned to its starting place.
Ottawa received Air Canada flights from Halifax, Boston and Edmonton, as well as WestJet from Orlando.
United has so far diverted two aircraft: a Washington DC flight that went back to the departure airport, and a service from Denver that landed in Chicago.
Delta’s arrival from Salt Lake City is in Detroit, while Alaska Airlines from Seattle touched down in Pittsburgh rather than Toronto.
NTSB leading team of investigators to Canada
Monday 17 February 2025 22:07
,
Michelle Del Rey
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading a team of US investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in their investigation.
Per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13, any information about the investigation will be released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the agency said in a statement
Toronto Airport had been experiencing 'busy day' before disaster
00:03
,
Michelle Del Rey
Officials at the Toronto Pearson International Airport had been preparing for a demanding day before the crash.
Over 130,000 travelers would be coming through the airport Monday on roughly 1,000 flights.
The city had just experienced a snowstorm that brought in eight inches.
The airport’s airfield team had worked overnight to prepare the facility. Officials noted high winds were expected in the area.
Plane is 16-year-old commuter jet
Monday 17 February 2025 21:15
,
Simon Calder
The aircraft involved is a Bombardier CRJ-900LR commuter jet belonging to Endeavor Air, which is wholly owned by Delta.
It is fitted with 12 first class and 64 economy seats.
Endeavor Air is based in Minneapolis-St Paul airport in Minnesota, where flight DL4819 originated. The plane took off at 11.47am local time, and flew at 29,000 feet over Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario.
It turned to approach the runway at Toronto airport at 2.05pm local time, but overturned on landing.