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Here’s the latest information regarding the Delta Airlines flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its roof and causing injuries to several individuals.
Crash Overview:
Delta Airlines flight 4819, traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto and operated by Endeavor Air, was carrying a total of 80 individuals, including 76 passengers and four crew members. Among the passengers, 22 were Canadian nationals, while others hailed from various countries, as noted by Deborah Flint, the president and CEO of the airport.
The incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. ET.
Fortunately, all individuals on board have been accounted for, and there were no fatalities. However, reports confirm that at least 18 individuals sustained injuries, including a child.
The aircraft involved in the incident was a Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR. Eyewitness videos shared on social media depicted the plane overturned, with firefighters responding to the scene while passengers evacuated and made their way across the snowy ground.
“The airport emergency response teams executed a well-coordinated action plan, reaching the location within minutes and efficiently evacuating the passengers,” Flint stated at a press briefing on Monday evening.
On that day, Toronto Pearson was facing inclement weather, with blowing snow and wind speeds between 51 km/h and 65 km/h, as reported by the Meteorological Service of Canada. The temperature hovered around minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. The flight arriving from Minneapolis faced challenging conditions following a winter storm that affected the Toronto area over the preceding weekend.
Investigation Underway: Causes Yet to be Determined
As the investigation is still in its preliminary phase, officials have not provided clear indications regarding the factors that led to the crash. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is overseeing the inquiry.
A pilot experienced with the Bombardier CRJ series suggested that the condition of the crashed aircraft, specifically the intact nose landing gear while the other two wheels appeared damaged, indicated the plane may have been moving laterally rather than in a straight line prior to the crash. This could have been influenced by strong, gusty winds or icy conditions on the runway, or a combination of both, according to the pilot, who preferred to remain anonymous due to professional affiliations.
“This aircraft is generally easy to land, even under crosswinds, provided the pilot adheres to the manufacturer’s guidelines,” the regional airline pilot explained. He further speculated that a malfunctioning wheel or frozen brake could have contributed to the crash dynamics.
Operational Impacts at Toronto Pearson
Flint remarked that Toronto Pearson International Airport anticipates operational disruptions and delays in the coming days due to the closure of two runways for investigation purposes. Travelers are encouraged to check the airport’s website and stay in contact with their airlines for the latest updates.
As of Tuesday, travelers were reported to face multiple delays for morning flights, adding to the backlog resulting from previous cancellations and delays prompted by the recent major winter storm.
Historical Context of Airport Incidents
The previous significant accident at Pearson occurred on August 2, 2005, when an Air France Airbus A340 skidded off the runway during a landing amid severe storm conditions, yet miraculously all 309 occupants survived the ordeal.
Interestingly, Monday’s incident marks the fourth substantial aviation accident in North America over a three-week span. This includes a tragic collision between a commercial aircraft and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport on January 29, which resulted in 67 fatalities, followed by a medical transportation plane fatality in Philadelphia, and a plane crash in Alaska that claimed 10 lives.
— Based on reports from Global News and The Canadian Press
Source
globalnews.ca