GUWAHATI: At least 18 individuals were injured when a Delta Air Lines regional jet, operated by Endeavor Air, flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Monday, February 17. The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET, following strong winds associated with a snowstorm. The aircraft, a CRJ-900, had departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and was carrying 80 people, including 76 passengers and four crew members.
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While there were no fatalities reported, three passengers—one of whom was a child—sustained critical injuries. Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals. Delta Air Lines has activated its Passenger Inquiry Center to support affected families, providing dedicated phone lines for assistance in both Canada and the United States.
Passenger John Nelson, who was on board, shared a video of the aftermath, describing the moment of impact: "We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down." Emergency crews were seen spraying water on the plane, which had come to rest on its belly on the snow-covered tarmac.
The flight had lasted 86 minutes before the incident occurred. Toronto Pearson International Airport was closed for more than two hours as investigators and emergency teams worked at the site, resulting in delays and diversions of flights to other airports, including Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Two of the airport's runways remain closed while the investigation continues.
Delta has canceled all flights to and from Toronto Pearson for the remainder of the evening and issued a travel waiver to affected passengers. Travelers are advised to check flight statuses through the Fly Delta app or visit Delta’s website for further information.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the investigation into the incident, with assistance from relevant authorities.
