Toronto Plane Crash: Survivor Describes What He Saw as Air Traffic Audio Is Released

The Delta Air Lines flight was involved in a serious accident while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis, overturned on the runway and left passengers working to escape the wreckage.

Officials have confirmed multiple injuries, but fortunately, all people on board survived. While the investigation is still ongoing, it has been noted that the weather conditions at the time may have contributed to the incident.

The Crash: What Happened?

Flight 4819 departed from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport at 11:47 a.m. local time for what was expected to be a routine trip to Toronto. The flight lasted approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes before arriving at Pearson International Airport.

At 2:13 p.m. local time, as the aircraft attempted to land on Runway 23, something went wrong. Weather reports at the time showed strong crosswinds, with gusts reaching 35 knots, and blowing snow reducing visibility.

Upon touchdown, the aircraft skidded sideways, lost control, and flipped over onto its roof. The force of the crash detached its wings, and a fire ignited near the left side of the fuselage. Passengers and crew were left hanging upside down in their seats as smoke filled the cabin.

Emergency Response and Air Traffic Audio

Moments after the crash, air traffic controllers at Toronto Pearson International Airport realized the severity of the situation. Newly released audio recordings capture their immediate response as they monitor the wreckage on the tarmac.

At 2:13 p.m., air traffic control confirmed the crash. “This airplane just crashed,” an official radioed. “It’s on runway two three right at the threshold right at the intersection two three and 15 left.”

Moments later, another transmission revealed the severity of the situation. “The aircraft there’s upside down and burning,” a responder reported.

In the background, an observer noted that some passengers were already outside the aircraft, saying, “Just so you’re aware, there’s people also walking around the aircraft there. [sic]”

The response team confirmed their awareness and assured that emergency crews were en route. As the situation unfolded, first responders moved in to assess the damage, extinguish the fire, and evacuate passengers.

Emergency Response and Injuries

Emergency crews arrived at the crash site within minutes. Firefighters focused on extinguishing flames near the detached wing, while paramedics assessed the injured.

Initial reports from emergency services suggested that three people, including a child, had sustained critical injuries. However, later updates from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) clarified that there were no life-threatening injuries.

Fire Chief Todd Aitken confirmed that 18 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Despite the dramatic crash, all 80 people onboard survived.

First responders helped passengers exit through emergency exits, some of whom were still strapped into their seats when the plane overturned.

Weather Conditions and Expert Analysis

Investigators are now examining whether severe weather played a role in the crash. The METAR weather report at the time of landing recorded winds from the west at 28 knots, gusting up to 35 knots, with blowing snow reducing visibility.

Runway conditions were also affected, as snow had been accumulating throughout the day. Aviation experts say these environmental factors may have contributed to the aircraft’s loss of control.

Pilot Aaron Murphy explained that landing in such conditions can be challenging, stating, “A strong gust at the wrong moment could have easily caused the aircraft to tip.” Former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) managing director Peter Goelz also weighed in.

He noted that while the crash was serious, the aircraft’s design likely prevented a worse outcome. “The airplane was designed to take a hit like this,” Goelz said, adding that modern aircraft are built with structural reinforcements to minimize damage in hard landings.

Delta Air Lines’ Response

Following the crash, Delta Air Lines issued a statement addressing the incident and expressing support for those affected. CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the situation, saying, “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport.”

He also thanked the airline’s staff and first responders for their swift actions. Delta confirmed that it is cooperating fully with investigators and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Meanwhile, passengers and crew members who were onboard the flight are recounting their experiences, giving insight into what happened inside the aircraft after it overturned.

Survivor Accounts: Chaos Inside the Overturned Plane

Passengers onboard Flight 4819 described the terrifying moments after the aircraft flipped over. John Nelson, who was seated in row ten near the wing, recalled how the impact sent passengers tumbling inside the cabin.

“There was a big fireball on the left side of the plane. When it finished, I was upside down,” he narrated. As the jet fuel smell filled the air, Nelson and others worked to free themselves from their seatbelts.

“It was mass chaos. The lady next to me was upside down. We let ourselves go and hit the ceiling, which was a surreal feeling,” he explained. “Then everybody was just like, ‘Get out, get out, get out.'”

Pete Koukov, another passenger, described a similar experience. “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down hanging like bats,” he recalled. Some passengers needed assistance unbuckling, while flight attendants directed everyone to crawl toward the emergency exits.

“Just feeling lucky and happy I got to give the person next to me a big hug,” he said. As passengers recover from the ordeal, investigators are now focused on determining the cause of the crash and whether weather conditions, mechanical failure, or pilot response played a role.

Investigation and Next Steps

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash, focusing on flight data, weather conditions, and pilot actions. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the effort, with experts analyzing recordings from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. Despite the severity of the crash, experts say modern aircraft design helped prevent a worse outcome. Aviation safety analyst David Soucie explained that improvements in seat security and structural engineering played a critical role.

“Everything that could go wrong went wrong, yet 80 people survived the accident,” he stated. One key factor was the aircraft’s breakaway wing design. Unlike older models, the Bombardier CRJ-900’s wings detached on impact, reducing the risk of the fuselage being torn apart.

“You don’t want that wing ripping the fuselage in half,” Soucie noted. “You want to make sure that it breaks away as it’s supposed to.” Flight attendants also received praise for their quick response.

Goelz emphasized that their training in emergency procedures was crucial in getting passengers out safely. “People think that they’re just simply there to provide service, but the bulk of their training is an emergency service response,” he said.

As the investigation continues, survivors are left processing the experience. Many are relieved to be alive, while others await answers about what caused the plane to overturn. As Nelson reflected on the ordeal, he said, “It’s amazing that we’re still here.”

The Toronto crash is the latest in a series of aviation accidents that have shaken travelers worldwide. In December, a crash in South Korea claimed 179 lives and a fatal midair collision near Washington left 67 people dead. Thankfully, flight 4819 had no fatalities.