Dramatic Crash at Toronto Airport: Delta Plane Flips Upside Down
Toronto, Canada – A dramatic crash landing on Monday afternoon at Toronto Pearson Airport left a commercial airplane upside down on the runway, prompting passengers to evacuate through emergency exit doors.
Incident Details
The incident occurred as a Delta Airlines regional jet, en route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was making its final approach to Toronto. For reasons yet unknown, the aircraft flipped upside down upon landing.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crash, no fatalities were reported. However, 18 of the 80 passengers and crew members sustained injuries, according to airport officials. The injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with none of their conditions deemed serious.
Investigation Underway
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States.
The investigation is expected to focus on factors such as aircraft maintenance, pilot error, and weather conditions at the time of the landing. Authorities have announced that two of the airport’s runways will be closed for an indefinite period to facilitate the investigation.
Passenger Evacuation and Response
Social media videos captured the moments after the crash, showing passengers calmly evacuating the aircraft through the emergency exit doors. The use of seat belts and the relatively small size and design of the regional jet are believed to have played a significant role in minimizing the severity of injuries.
Impact on Airport Operations
The crash caused a significant disruption to airport operations. Pearson Airport was closed for over two hours before resuming departures and arrivals. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned of potential delays for inbound flights originating from other airports due to the ongoing investigation.
Recent Aviation Incidents
The Toronto crash is the latest in a series of aviation incidents that have occurred in North America in recent weeks. This incident brings the total number of aviation disasters in 2025 to at least five, according to USA TODAY.
Notable among these incidents is the fatal collision between a military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29th, which claimed the lives of 67 people.
Safety in Air Travel
While these incidents raise concerns about air travel safety, experts emphasize that flying remains an extremely safe form of transportation. Statistics show that the number of airline accidents has steadily declined over the past several decades.
Reporting and Contact Information
Eric Lagatta, a reporter for USA TODAY, covers breaking and trending news. He can be reached at [email protected].
