Delta Plane Crashes and Overturns in Toronto, Leaving 18 Injured, Officials Report

A Delta flight crashed while attempting to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, with the aircraft ending up upside down on the snow-covered ground. The crash left 18 people injured, although authorities confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Seventeen passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, according to airport officials. Three people suffered critical injuries — a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s — and were transported for further treatment. The child was taken to the Hospital for Sick Children, where they were reported to be in stable condition by Monday evening. Twelve other individuals sustained mild injuries, Peel Regional Paramedic Services said.

Toronto Pearson President and CEO Deborah Flint praised the swift emergency response, highlighting the professionalism of first responders. "There was no loss of life, and this is thanks to our heroic and trained emergency personnel here at the airport," Flint said in a press briefing.

Flight 4819, which was en route from Minneapolis, had 76 passengers and four crew members onboard. Following the crash, all passengers were safely evacuated, and Delta Airlines, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ensured proper safety measures. Among the passengers, 22 were Canadian citizens, according to Flint.

The exact cause of the crash, which resulted in the plane overturning and catching fire, remains under investigation. Officials from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are leading the inquiry, with support from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Early reports suggest that adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and blowing snow, may have contributed to the incident. Wind speeds at the airport reached 40 mph, with gusts much stronger at higher altitudes.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his gratitude toward the responders and the affected passengers. "Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by today's incident at Toronto Pearson. We're grateful for the quick actions of our team and first responders," Bastian said in a statement.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also shared her relief, stating, "I'm relieved that all passengers and crew are safe following the crash. Thank you to everyone who responded so swiftly."

The crash temporarily halted flights at Toronto Pearson, with departures and arrivals resuming at 5 p.m. ET. However, two runways remain closed, potentially causing ongoing disruptions to airport operations.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose state was the departure point for the flight, also offered support on social media, thanking first responders and professionals for their efforts at the scene.