A Delta Air Lines passenger on board the dramatic crash-landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport described the “mass chaos” as the jet flipped upside down.
John Nelson is one of the 80 people who survived Delta Flight 4819 after it slammed into the tarmac and erupted into a fireball at around 2:15 p.m. ET on Monday, leaving 21 individuals – including one child – hospitalized. As of Tuesday morning, 19 people had been released.
“We hit the ground and the plane went sideways and I believe we skidded on our side and flipped over on our back,” Nelson told CNN. “It was mass chaos… It’s an emotional roller coaster that you go through, but it’s things you hope you don’t see again.”
All passengers and crew onboard the overturned CRJ900 twin-jet are believed to have survived. 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.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation and has deployed a team to the scene.
Key Points
- At least 21 people, including one child, hospitalized after Delta plane crash
- Investigation underway after flight 4819 crashes at Toronto Pearson, fire chief says
- WATCH: Moment Delta plane flips over and bursts into flames while landing at Toronto airport
- All 80 crew and passengers survive
- Toronto Pearson CEO comments on 'extreme conditions' before crash
Coverage has paused for today and will resume tomorrow
00:07 , Michelle Del ReyInvestigators are expected to provide additional updates throughout the week. Tune back in tomorrow for more information.
Plane is 16-year-old commuter jet
Monday 17 February 2025 21:15 , Simon CalderThe 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.
Toronto Airport had been experiencing 'busy day' before disaster
Tuesday 18 February 2025 00:03 , Michelle Del ReyOfficials 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.
NTSB leading team of investigators to Canada
Monday 17 February 2025 22:07 , Michelle Del ReyThe 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
Many flights diverted after Toronto airport closes
Monday 17 February 2025 21:00 , Simon CalderFollowing 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.
At least 17 people, including one child, transported to nearby hospitals
Monday 17 February 2025 21:40 , Michelle Del ReyOne 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.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he's been in touch with Canadian authorities
Monday 17 February 2025 22:15 , Michelle Del ReyThe new transportation secretary announced the development on X.
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.
Delta increases number of injured to 18
Monday 17 February 2025 22:59 , Michelle Del ReyA 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.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford releases statement on crash
Monday 17 February 2025 23:25 , Michelle Del ReyI’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
Press conference to start momentarily
Monday 17 February 2025 23:43 , Michelle Del ReyCanadian 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.
LISTEN: Air traffic control audio from crash
Monday 17 February 2025 23:51 , Michelle Del ReyAirport CEO says 'no loss of life' on crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 00:27 , Michelle Del ReyDeborah 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.
Airport CEO says 17 people injured
Tuesday 18 February 2025 00:39 , Michelle Del ReyAt 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
Hospital confirms child is in 'good condition'
Tuesday 18 February 2025 00:47 , Michelle Del ReySickKids, 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.
About 30 percent of people on board were Canadian
Tuesday 18 February 2025 01:00 , Michelle Del ReyToronto Airport CEO Deborah Flint revealed 22 out of 76 people on board the flight were Canadian.
The remainder came from other countries, she said.
Todd Aitken, Fire Chief of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, says 18 injured
Tuesday 18 February 2025 01:37 , Michelle Del ReyAitken 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.
Officials providing additional information Tuesday
Tuesday 18 February 2025 02:01 , Michelle Del ReyMore information will be provided as it’s available. Authorities are expected to hold more briefings on Tuesday as the situation continues to unfold.
In photos: Toronto crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 03:43 , Michelle Del Rey
FAA says all 80 crew and passengers evacuated
Tuesday 18 February 2025 03:43 , Michelle Del ReyThe 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.
British Airways flight to Toronto turns around in mid-Atlantic
Tuesday 18 February 2025 05:01 , Namita SinghBritish 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.
In video: Investigation underway after Delta plane crashes in Toronto, fire chief says
Tuesday 18 February 2025 05:06 , Namita SinghFAA issues statement following layoffs
Tuesday 18 February 2025 05:43 , Michelle Del ReyNearly 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.”
Hong Kong crash in 1999 may hold clues to what happened to Delta plane
Tuesday 18 February 2025 07:38 , Namita SinghCanadian 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.
All passengers survived 2005 crash at Toronto airport
Tuesday 18 February 2025 07:39 , Namita SinghThe 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.”
'Leave cabin baggage behind and save your hide’
Tuesday 18 February 2025 07:44 , Simon CalderFootage 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.”
Video: Delta plane lies on back after Toronto airport crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 07:47
Area air ambulance organization confirms injuries
Tuesday 18 February 2025 08:43 , Michelle Del ReyIn 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.
Is it still safe to fly?
Tuesday 18 February 2025 09:13 , James LiddellThe Transportation Safety Board of Canada is deploying an investigative team
Tuesday 18 February 2025 09:53 , Michelle Del ReyThe 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
Transport Sec Duffy shifts blame for recent air disasters onto his predecessor
Tuesday 18 February 2025 10:12 , James LiddellMayor 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
British Airways flight from London was immediately behind the crash jet
Tuesday 18 February 2025 10:43 , Simon CalderBritish 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.
Delta CEO issues statement after crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 11:07 , James LiddellDelta 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.”
Minnesota Gov Tim Walz ‘in touch’ with Delta
Tuesday 18 February 2025 12:12 , James LiddellI’m in touch with Delta after a flight taking off from MSP crash landed in Toronto this afternoon.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 17, 2025
Grateful to the first responders and professionals on the scene.
Watch: Evacuation footage from inside plane
Tuesday 18 February 2025 12:43 , Michelle Del ReyToronto Pearson remains open
Tuesday 18 February 2025 14:15 , James LiddellThe airport remains open with flights arriving and departing.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) February 18, 2025
Passengers flying out today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport.
Just in: 21 passengers hospitalized after crash – but 19 released
Tuesday 18 February 2025 14:53 , James LiddellTwenty-one of the 80 passengers and crew members on board Delta Flight 4819 had been hospitalized, the airliner confirmed on Tuesday morning. Nineteen of those have now been released.
“In total, 21 injured passengers were initially transported to local hospitals. As of Tuesday morning, 19 have been released,” Delta wrote in a statement on X.
Footage shows Delta jet bursting into flame upon crash-landing
Tuesday 18 February 2025 15:23 , James LiddellVideo footage seen by The Independent shows Flight 4819 slamming into Toronto Pearson International Airport after its landing gear buckled.
In the clip, the CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft’s right wing sheers away before the plane erupts into flame.
The plane continues to skid across the tarmac before rolling 180 degrees, flipping upside down. All 80 passengers on board are believed to have survived the accident.
“Oh f**k,” a witness says. “Oh no, no, no, no, no!”
Press conference to start momentarily
Tuesday 18 February 2025 16:31 , Michelle Del ReyOfficials at Toronto Pearson International Airport are scheduled to hold a briefing on the crash at 11:30 a.m.
Canadian Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Anita Anand, says government is supporting ongoing investigation
Tuesday 18 February 2025 16:51 , Michelle Del ReyI want to thank all the first responders and @TorontoPearson staff following today’s incident at Pearson Airport. My thoughts are with those injured and their families. We are supporting the ongoing investigation in any way we can.
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) February 18, 2025
Live: Latest update on Delta crash as plane flips over at Toronto
Tuesday 18 February 2025 17:05 , Michelle Del ReyToronto Pearson saw hundreds of flight cancellations leading up to crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 17:36 , Michelle Del ReyLast week, the Toronto Airport got more than 20 inches and 50cm of snow. Airport CEO Deborah Flint said it was more snow than the area got throughout the entire 2024 winter season.
Still, officials would not confirm that weather played a role in the crash.
Passengers sustained head injuries, back sprains from crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 18:04 , Michelle Del ReyCory Tkatch, divisional commander for Peel Regional Paramedic Services, said passengers suffered back sprains, head injuries and anxiety after crash.
Some of the people on board the flight also suffered from nausea due to jet fuel exposure, he said.
Toronto Pearson CEO comments on 'extreme conditions' before crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 18:31 , Michelle Del ReyFrom Thursday to Sunday, the airport saw more than 20 inches and 53 cm of snow stemming from two separate snowstorms.
“That is actually not typical,” CEO Deborah Flint said, calling the conditions “extreme.”
“In fact, it is more snow within that time window than we received in all of last winter,” she noted.
The airport experienced 795 flight cancellations during that time out of roughly 4,000 flights.
Monday was a clear day, Flint said, and airport crew began working to reopen to full capacity.
Following the accident, another 462 flights were canceled. The airport is expected to experience slower operations as two runways remain closed during the ongoing investigation.
Toronto plane crash: Two Delta passengers remain hospitalized after flight flips over
Tuesday 18 February 2025 18:47 , Michelle Del ReyReunification process for passengers is complete
Tuesday 18 February 2025 18:57 , Michelle Del ReyToronto Pearson Airport CEO Deborah Flint said all passengers have been reunited with their friends and loved ones after the crash.
There were 76 passengers on board Delta Flight 4819 when it slammed into the tarmac and turned upside down, erupting into flames.
Aircraft will remain on runway as investigators launch probe into accident
Tuesday 18 February 2025 19:07 , Michelle Del ReyOfficials expect the runway where the crash occurred to be closed for at least 48 hours, impacting the level of traffic the airport can accommodate.
Representatives with the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, US Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Airlines and Mitsubishi, the airplane’s manufacturer, are currently at the site.
WATCH: Moment Delta plane flips over and bursts into flames while landing at Toronto airport
Tuesday 18 February 2025 19:20 , Michelle Del ReyDelta CEO says taking care of passengers and crew on board flight 4819 'priority'
Tuesday 18 February 2025 19:47 , James LiddellDelta CEO Ed Bastian issued a new statement on Tuesday after flight 4819 flipped over upon crash-anding the Toronto Pearson International Airport tarmac:
“Our most pressing priority remains taking care of all customers and Endeavor crew members who were involved.
“We’ll do everything we can to support them and their families in the days ahead, and I know the hearts, thoughts and prayers of the entire Delta community are with them. We are grateful for all the first responders and medical teams who have been caring for them.”
Watch live: Aftermath of Delta plane crash after flight 4819 flips over in Toronto
Tuesday 18 February 2025 19:57 , James Liddell
Watch live: Aftermath of Delta plane crash after flight 4819 flips over in Toronto
Why 80 people likely survived ‘miracle’ plane crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:20 , Michelle Del ReyA Delta Airlines plane landed overturned on a snow-blanketed runway at Toronto Pearson Airport and miraculously no one was killed in the aviation accident.
Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, flying from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport touched down upside-down in Toronto at around 2.15 p.m. Monday. The aircraft was flying in the wake of a snowstorm and amid wind gusts that whipped at more than 40 mph.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash-landing where all 80 people on board — 76 passengers and four crew members — survived. The airline said Tuesday morning that 19 of the 21 people taken to the hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries have been released.
Read more from Kelly Rissman below:
New video shows inside plane after crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 20:41 , Michelle Del ReyThe footage obtained by ABC News and shows the chaotic scene inside the aircraft
New video obtained exclusively by ABC News shows survivors of the Delta plane crash in Toronto hanging upside down, strapped in their seats, after the plane flipped after crashing.
— ABC News (@ABC) February 18, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/xLjrFI2cqF pic.twitter.com/e4yvABgYOV
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy tries to shift blame for recent air disasters onto Pete Buttigieg
Tuesday 18 February 2025 13:45 , James LiddellTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy tried to shift the blame for a string of recent air disasters onto his Democratic predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, in the wake of cutting hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration personnel.
Duffy, confirmed to lead the department in the Senate late last month, revealed on Monday that the Trump administration fired “less than 400” of the FAA’s 45,000 employees. He also claimed all of them were serving probationary periods.
The layoffs took place against a backdrop of three fatal U.S. air disasters since Donald Trump’s inauguration last month, in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Alaska – with another commercial plane carrying 80 people flipping over upon a crash landing at Canada’s Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.
James Liddell has the full story.
Transport Sec Sean Duffy shifts blame for recent air disasters onto Pete Buttigieg
‘We were hanging like bats’
Tuesday 18 February 2025 21:33 , James LiddellA passenger on board Delta flight 4819 described the moment that the plane eventually came to a standstill after crashing into the tarmac and flipping over.
“We were upside down hanging like bats,” passenger Peter Koukov told CNN.
Koukov said that once the plane rolled over, he was “upside down,’ everybody else was there as well.”
Another passenger said that they released themselves from their seatbelts and clunked to the floor.
Simu Liu, a Canadian actor who appeared in Barbie, says his flight was delayed after Toronto crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 22:00 , Michelle Del ReyWriting on Instagram stories, Liu said he was at Los Angeles International Airport Monday for an Air Canada flight, which was delayed for over four hours due to the incident.
The gate agents were “so amazing to every single passenger. It filled my heart with hope.”
“Hope everyone flying arrives at their destinations safety,” he wrote.
WATCH: Transportation Safety Board of Canada provides update on crash
Tuesday 18 February 2025 23:13 , Michelle Del ReyFormer Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praises flight attendants who helped evacuate plane
Tuesday 18 February 2025 23:42 , Michelle Del ReyWhatever else emerges in time about the Delta crash in Canada, one thing is certain: the importance & amazing professionalism of flight attendants who safely evacuated the plane in a matter of seconds.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 18, 2025
‘Sensible shoes on, leave cabin baggage behind’
Tuesday 18 February 2025 23:47 , Simon CalderThe Independent’s travel correspondent, Simon Calder, has been studying the accident report from the last calamitous landing at Toronto airport – Air France flight AF358 from Paris in August 2005.
As with the Delta crash, everyone got out alive. But there are similarities, not least in passengers delaying the evacuation by taking their cabin baggage.
He concludes: “In the vanishingly unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency evacuation, leave your cabin baggage behind.
One last thing: always wear decent footwear for take-off and landing, just in case you need to run in challenging circumstances.”
Read more the full report below:
How aviation learns from every plane crash – and what you need to know
