A Delta Airlines CRJ-900 jet flipped upside down during a crash landing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, miraculously sparing all 80 passengers from fatal injuries.
At a Glance
- Delta flight from Minneapolis crash-landed and flipped at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on February 17, 2025
- All 80 passengers survived; 18 injured, three critically
- Severe weather with high winds and snow contributed to the incident
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the crash
- Incident marks North America’s fourth major aviation disaster in a month
Dramatic Crash Landing in Toronto
On February 17, 2025, a Delta Airlines CRJ-900 jet crash landed upside down at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. The aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, encountered treacherous weather conditions during its approach. High winds gusting up to 40 mph and drifting snow created a perilous situation for the incoming flight.
As the plane attempted to land, it suddenly flipped upside down, shearing off its tail and wing in the process. Passenger Pete Carlson recounted the terrifying experience: “One minute you’re landing, kind of waiting to see your friends and your people, and the next minute you’re physically upside down,” Carlson said.
Miraculous Survival and Swift Response
In what can only be described as a miracle, all 80 passengers aboard the flight survived the crash. However, the incident left 18 passengers injured, with three in critical condition. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, triaging and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said.
Delta’s incident response team, including CEO Jim Graham, was swiftly deployed to support efforts and cooperate with investigators. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash.
Weather Conditions and Aircraft Details
The CRJ-900, a regional jet developed by Canadian aerospace company Bombardier, encountered severe weather during its approach to Toronto. Blowing snow and temperatures around 16.5 degrees Fahrenheit created challenging conditions for the pilots. The control tower had warned of a possible air flow “bump” on approach, highlighting the treacherous nature of the landing attempt.
“We’ve seen a couple of cases of takeoffs where airplanes have ended up inverted, but it’s pretty rare,” aviation expert Cox said.
Questions remain about the missing right wing of the aircraft, which could have contributed to the rollover. “If one wing is missing, it’s going to have a tendency to roll over,” Cox added. The investigation will likely focus on how the severe weather interacted with the aircraft’s systems and the crew’s decision-making process.
This incident marks the fourth major aviation disaster in North America within a month, raising concerns about overall air safety. Other recent incidents include a midair collision in Washington, a commuter plane crash in Alaska, and a medical transport jet crash in Philadelphia. In response to these events, the Trump administration has promised a review of air traffic control systems.
