Toronto Airport Incident
What happened to Delta Flight 4819 and what is the status of the passengers?
Delta Flight 4819 experienced a crash landing in Toronto that resulted in the aircraft catching fire. Remarkably, all 80 people on board survived the incident, though 21 passengers required hospital treatment. According to Delta Air Lines, 19 of those hospitalized have already been released. The fuselage of the plane remains on the runway and will likely stay there for approximately two days while officials conduct their investigation. Multiple runways at the Toronto airport have been closed as a result, potentially causing travel delays for other passengers.
Watch clip answer (00:13m)
NBC News
00:35 - 00:49
What happened during Delta Flight 4819's crash landing in Toronto?
Delta Flight 4819 experienced a catastrophic crash landing in Toronto where the aircraft struck the runway, burst into flames, and then flipped over. Video footage of the incident, reportedly captured from another plane's cockpit, shows the terrifying moment of impact and subsequent fire. The incident involved 80 passengers, with 21 requiring hospital treatment, though remarkably there were no fatalities. According to NBC News aviation analyst John Cox, this video footage will likely serve as key evidence in the ongoing investigation being conducted by Canadian authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)NBC News
00:01 - 00:22
What impact are the shutdown runways having on air traffic at Toronto airport following the Delta Flight 4819 crash?
The shutdown runways following the Delta Flight 4819 crash landing in Toronto are significantly slowing down air traffic at the airport. According to NBC News reporter Stephanie Gosk, these closures are causing considerable disruption to flight operations. The incident, which remarkably saw all 80 passengers survive despite the plane losing its right wing, igniting in flames, and flipping over, has led to notable delays and cancellations throughout the airport's schedule. With the aircraft fuselage still on the runway and ongoing investigations by Canadian authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB, these disruptions are likely to continue as officials examine the crash site and determine contributing factors.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)NBC News
01:49 - 01:58
What was happening at Toronto Airport before and after the Delta Flight 4819 crash?
Before the crash of Delta Flight 4819, Toronto Airport was already experiencing a significant backlog due to successive winter storms that had disrupted normal operations. This pre-existing situation complicated the emergency response to the crash landing. In the aftermath of the incident, officials are now warning travelers about the potential for extended travel disruptions. Passengers are being advised that delays and flight cancellations could continue for days as the airport deals with both the ongoing winter weather conditions and the impact of the crash.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)NBC News
01:58 - 02:11
What was Peter Kukoff's experience during the crash landing of Delta Flight 4819?
Peter Kukoff, a passenger on Delta Flight 4819, described how the plane's descent felt completely normal until the moment it hit the ground. When interviewed about whether he had a moment where he thought "this is it," Kukoff confirmed that he did have that realization during the crash. As the situation unfolded, Kukoff recalled thinking, "okay, the plane is crashing," and came to the grim conclusion that "if the plane is crashing, you're not going to live." Despite this terrifying experience, the crash landing in Toronto remarkably resulted in no fatalities, though 21 of the 80 passengers required hospital treatment.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)NBC News
01:16 - 01:30
What caused the Delta Flight 4819 airplane to roll during the crash landing?
According to NBC News aviation analyst John Cox, the detachment of the right wing from the aircraft was the direct cause of the airplane's rolling motion during the incident. As explained in the clip, when the right wing separated from the aircraft, the lack of that wing's aerodynamic support caused the airplane to roll uncontrollably. Despite this catastrophic structural failure and the resulting crash landing in Toronto, remarkably, no lives were lost in this dramatic incident, making it a notable case of survival in a serious aviation emergency.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)NBC News
00:22 - 00:35