Flight 4819
Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, represents a significant incident in recent aviation history that drew widespread attention after the aircraft crashed during landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. On February 17, 2025, the Bombardier CRJ900 encountered challenging weather conditions, including gusty winds reaching up to 64 km/h and blowing snow, resulting in a dramatic crash landing that caused the plane to flip upside down. Remarkably, all 80 occupants—76 passengers and four crew members—were safely evacuated, though 21 sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical, underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness and effective evacuation procedures. The incident has prompted investigations by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board to determine the causes and contributing factors, focusing on issues like the aircraft's high descent rate of over 1,100 feet per minute during approach and mechanical failures upon landing. Preliminary reports indicate that a critical component of the right landing gear fractured, leading to severe structural damage, including the separation of the right wing, which ignited a fire on impact. Despite the accident's severity, the successful evacuation, aided by the aircraft's safety features and crew responses, has been credited with preventing fatalities, demonstrating aviation safety advancements even amidst unforeseen challenges. This incident remains a crucial case study in aviation safety and emergency response protocols, highlighting the measures and resilience that define modern air travel.
What are some key questions investigators will ask about the Delta Flight 4819 crash landing?
According to a Delta pilot consulted by the correspondent, investigators will focus on why the plane landed nose-first instead of the proper back-wheel-first approach. Key questions include whether visibility issues prevented the pilot from seeing the runway properly, if weather conditions played a role, whether there were problems with the landing gear, or if other aircraft issues contributed to the unusual landing. These questions are particularly relevant because the video shows the aircraft touching down nose-first, which is contrary to standard safe landing procedures where the back wheels should make first contact with the runway. Investigators will likely interview both the pilot and air traffic control to determine exactly what factors led to this potentially dangerous landing situation.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)
CBS News
01:04 - 01:42
What led to the miraculous survival of all passengers and crew aboard Delta Flight 4819?
All 80 passengers and crew aboard Delta Flight 4819 miraculously survived the crash landing at Toronto's Pearson Airport despite the aircraft flipping upside down. The heroic four-member flight crew played a crucial role, standing on the ceiling of the inverted plane to help passengers escape from their seatbelt restraints. First responders arrived quickly at the scene, providing immediate assistance to the 21 injured individuals who suffered back sprains, head injuries, headaches and nausea. Their rapid response, combined with the flight crew's actions, ensured everyone made it out alive from what could have been a catastrophic incident, earning both groups recognition as heroes for their life-saving efforts.
Watch clip answer (01:03m)
ABC News
01:52 - 02:55
What safety protocols helped save lives during the Delta Flight 4819 crash?
Several critical safety protocols likely saved lives during the Delta Flight 4819 crash at Toronto's Pearson Airport. Wearing seatbelts proved essential, as passengers reported hanging upside down by their restraints after the crash, which prevented more serious injuries despite the plane's landing gear collapsing and wing striking the ground. Equally important was passengers' willingness to follow flight attendant instructions, evacuating quickly without retrieving luggage. This rapid evacuation process, combined with proper use of safety restraints, contributed significantly to the survival of all 80 people on board despite 21 injuries. These basic yet vital safety measures underscore why airline safety briefings should never be ignored.
Watch clip answer (00:08m)ABC News
03:19 - 03:28
What happened during the Delta Flight 4819 crash landing at Toronto's Pearson Airport?
During the crash landing, passenger John Nelson experienced terrifying moments as the plane went down. He described seeing a giant firewall along the side of the aircraft and feeling intense heat through the glass. The plane began moving sideways and tumbling, though he wasn't certain how many times it rolled. Ultimately, the aircraft flipped completely and came to rest upside down, leaving all 80 passengers and crew suspended in their seatbelts. Despite the severity of the crash, which involved the landing gear failing and the right wing striking the ground, everyone survived thanks to the heroic actions of flight crew and first responders, though 21 people were injured.
Watch clip answer (00:11m)ABC News
01:10 - 01:22
What happened during the crash landing of Delta Flight 4819 at Toronto's Pearson Airport?
The plane hit the runway extremely hard and began leaning to the left before going sideways. The survivor described seeing a giant firewall along the side of the aircraft, with heat so intense it could be felt through the windows. After tumbling an undetermined number of times, the aircraft flipped completely, ending upside down. Passengers found themselves suspended by their seatbelts in the inverted cabin. Despite the catastrophic nature of the crash, remarkably all 80 people aboard survived the incident. The firsthand account highlights the sudden violence of the impact and the terrifying moments as the plane rolled before coming to rest in its final position.
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ABC News
01:04 - 01:25
What was the outcome of Delta Flight 4819's crash landing at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Despite the dramatic crash landing where the aircraft's landing gear failed and the plane rolled over, all 80 passengers and crew aboard Delta Flight 4819 miraculously survived. However, the incident wasn't without consequences - at least 21 people were injured, including a child, with patients being treated for various conditions including back sprains, head injuries, headaches, and nausea. The survival of everyone onboard is attributed to several factors including the flight attendants' bravery during evacuation, passengers wearing seatbelts, and everyone's quick actions during the emergency. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing.
Watch clip answer (00:10m)ABC News
02:11 - 02:22