Pearson Airport Incident: Two Lives Lost in Ground Collision

Pearson Airport Tragedy: Two Lives Lost in Ground Collision

On February 17, 2025, a Delta Air Lines regional jet crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping upside down and catching fire. All 80 people on board survived, but 21 were injured, including two critically. The incident disrupted airport operations and prompted an ongoing investigation into its causes.

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The Incident

Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, departed Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport en route to Toronto. At approximately 2:12 p.m. local time, the Bombardier CRJ900LR attempted to land on Runway 23 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft made a hard landing, causing the right main landing gear to collapse. This led to the plane flipping over and catching fire. Emergency crews responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire and evacuating all passengers and crew.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the crash, the Toronto area was experiencing adverse weather conditions, including blowing snow and strong wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph (65 km/h). These conditions may have contributed to the difficulty in landing.

Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) launched an investigation into the crash. Preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft was descending at a rate of over 1,100 feet per minute—nearly twice the recommended rate—triggering a “sink rate” warning just before touchdown. The excessive descent rate exceeded the landing gear’s design limits, leading to its collapse. The right wing detached upon impact, causing fuel to spill and ignite.

Aftermath

Following the crash, Toronto Pearson International Airport suspended all take-offs and landings for approximately two and a half hours. Two runways remained closed during the investigation. Flights were diverted to nearby airports, including Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 in compensation to each passenger aboard the flight, stating that the offer had “no strings attached” and did not affect their future legal rights.

Passenger Accounts

Passengers described a chaotic scene as the plane flipped and smoke filled the cabin. Videos shared on social media showed passengers crawling along the ceiling to escape the overturned aircraft.

Conclusion

The crash of Delta Connection Flight 4819 at Toronto Pearson International Airport was a harrowing incident that, fortunately, resulted in no fatalities. The swift response of emergency crews and the resilience of the aircraft’s design contributed to the survival of all on board. The ongoing investigation aims to provide further insights into the causes of the crash and to enhance aviation safety measures.

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