What Caused the Plane to Crash in Toronto? The Quest Is Underway!

On February 17, 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, a CRJ-900 aircraft, crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The flight departed from Minneapolis and carried 76 passengers and four crew members.

The incident occurred shortly after 2:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT). Upon landing, the aircraft appeared to make hard contact with the runway, skidded for some distance, and then overturned. The impact caused the plane to catch fire; however, all 80 people on board miraculously survived. While 18 passengers sustained injuries, none were reported to be in critical condition.

Dan Ronan, a journalist and FAA-licensed pilot, told BBC News that the aircraft's loss of control during landing likely contributed to the accident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.

What caused the aircraft to lose control upon landing?

For reasons still under investigation, the 118-foot jet overturned upon landing, leaving passengers hanging upside down in their seats.

Peter Carlson, a passenger traveling to Toronto for a paramedics' conference, described the landing as "very forceful." 

Recounting the experience to CBC News, he said, "Everything suddenly went sideways, and the next thing I knew, I was upside down, still strapped in."

The Air Canada flight crash-landing is still under investigation to determine the cause

Emergency responders were quick to arrive at the scene. According to Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken, the rescue operation proceeded as planned. Images from the scene show the fuselage largely intact, with firefighters extinguishing the remaining flames and scorch marks visible near the tail. Fortunately, all passengers could safely exit the aircraft and walk across the tarmac.

Were there any fatalities in the plane crash?

Experts told the BBC that it was nothing less than a miracle that all 80 people on board survived the crash. They attributed this to the swift response from flight attendants and emergency crews and significant improvements in plane safety.

Eighteen passengers were taken to the hospital, according to Fire Chief Todd Aitken. Earlier, Ornge Air Ambulance reported that one pediatric patient was being transported to Toronto's SickKids Hospital, and two injured adults were sent to other hospitals in the city.

A Peel Region paramedic service spokesperson told Sky News that the injuries ranged from minor to serious, though none were life-threatening.

Scant Information Released About the Crash

Few details have been shared regarding the crash, with Canadian officials holding two brief news conferences without answering questions. The government’s weather service reported gusts up to 38 mph and drifting snow in Toronto, where two snowstorms had recently hit.

Deborah Ale Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, spoke to the media regarding the plane crash  

The Air Canada flight crash-landing is still under investigation to determine the cause

The pilots had warned passengers about windy conditions, but many were unprepared for the sudden jolt upon landing. Passengers, including paramedic Peter Carlson, saw others being thrown around the cabin. 

Carlson, who had a scrape on his head, described a woman under a seat and a mother and child sitting on the ceiling. Relying on his paramedic skills and fatherly instincts, he quickly focused on helping others escape.

Amid panic, passengers showed strong camaraderie, helping and comforting each other. After exiting the plane, Carlson noticed jet fuel running down the windows and heard an explosion as a wing was missing. He and others moved quickly away from the wreckage, walking through blowing snow. Carlson described the experience as feeling like stepping onto the tundra. 

Despite the cold and distance, everyone’s main goal was to get as far from the wreck as possible.