Passenger posts video inside Delta plane moments after crash
When Endeavor Air’s Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 attempted to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025, it crashed. Four crew members and 76 passengers were on board the Bombardier CRJ-900 when it took off from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
What was meant to be a routine landing in Toronto turned into a terrifying ordeal. As the plane approached the runway around 2:15 p.m. local time, something went disastrously wrong. Instead of a smooth touchdown, the aircraft suddenly veered off course, sending shockwaves through passengers and onlookers alike. Witnesses on the ground and travelers on nearby flights watched in disbelief as the landing took a dangerous turn, turning an ordinary arrival into a nightmare.
The aircraft lurched violently, flipping over and skidding across the snow-covered runway before finally grinding to a halt. Thick smoke poured from the overturned fuselage as emergency crews sprang into action, their vehicles speeding toward the wreckage.
Miraculously, all 80 passengers and crew survived the harrowing crash. However, 18 people sustained injuries, including three in serious but non-life-threatening condition. Among the most critically injured were a woman in her 40s, a young child, and a man in his 60s.
Paramedics and first responders worked swiftly, assessing the wounded and stabilizing those in need of urgent medical care before rushing them to nearby hospitals.
In a heartfelt evening statement, Toronto Pearson International Airport CEO Deborah Flint expressed immense gratitude that the crash had not claimed any lives. She commended the bravery of the flight crew, emergency responders, and airport staff, whose quick actions ensured the safe evacuation of everyone on board.
Flint described the incident as a near miss, emphasizing that under different circumstances, the outcome could have been far more tragic.
Delta Air Lines swiftly addressed the incident in an official statement shared on its website and social media, confirming that, despite the terrifying crash, no lives were lost. The airline emphasized that its top priority was supporting those affected and assured passengers, families, and the public that it was fully cooperating with investigators to determine the cause of the disaster.
Shortly after the crash, CNN obtained and released chilling air traffic control audio, offering a raw glimpse into the unfolding chaos. In the recording, a controller urgently warned a medevac plane of passengers evacuating onto the icy runway, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The pilot of the medevac flight confirmed visual contact with the wreckage, describing the scene as horrific—the plane completely upside down, charred by fire damage. Meanwhile, passengers of Flight 4819 wasted no time sharing their firsthand experiences on social media.
One of the first to document the disaster was Ashley Zook, who recorded and uploaded a video mere moments after escaping the overturned aircraft. Clearly shaken, she appeared inside the wreckage, her voice trembling as she struggled to process what had just happened. At one point, she simply muttered, “My plane crashed. I’m inverted.” Then, overwhelmed by the shock, she let out an expletive.
While authorities had yet to release the identities of the seriously injured, medical transport service Ornge later confirmed details about their conditions. Though most injuries were minor, the critical cases underscored just how close passengers had come to catastrophe.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, along with U.S. aviation authorities, wasted no time launching an investigation into the cause of the crash. Early theories suggested that hazardous weather conditions may have played a role in the aircraft’s disastrous landing.
The runway, coated in ice from a weekend of heavy snowfall, had already posed significant challenges for pilots attempting to land earlier that day. Officials cautioned that it was too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, but investigators were committed to a thorough analysis of the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recordings, and the aircraft’s maintenance history.
The Toronto Pearson incident was particularly alarming in light of a string of recent aviation disasters in North America. Just weeks earlier, tragedy struck near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., where 67 people lost their lives in a catastrophic collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter. The January 29 accident marked the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001, reigniting urgent discussions among industry experts and government officials about aviation safety.
As authorities worked to piece together what went wrong with Flight 4819, passengers and crew shared harrowing accounts of their ordeal. Many described the sheer terror of the impact—the deafening screams, the unsettling sensation of weightlessness as the jet flipped, and the eerie calm just before disaster struck. Some recounted the desperate scramble to locate an exit while hanging upside down, struggling to unbuckle their seatbelts in the chaos.
Despite the shock and confusion, the plane’s flight attendants were widely praised for their professionalism and composure. Even in the midst of catastrophe, they remained focused, guiding passengers through the evacuation with clear, steady instructions. Their swift actions played a crucial role in ensuring that, against all odds, everyone on board made it out alive.
Before making her own escape, one flight attendant was seen helping multiple injured passengers to safety, ensuring that as many lives as possible were protected. Survivors credited the crew’s swift, decisive actions with preventing what could have been an even greater catastrophe.
The incident caused major disruptions at Toronto Pearson Airport, with flights temporarily grounded and cancellations piling up. However, emergency teams worked swiftly to clear debris and assess the runway, allowing some flights to resume by 5 p.m. The airport’s rapid response minimized further travel chaos, but for many, the true focus remained on the well-being of the passengers aboard Flight 4819.
Families of those on board anxiously awaited news, relieved to hear that their loved ones had survived yet still desperate for updates on their condition. Delta Air Lines stepped in to offer immediate support, providing counseling, accommodations, and financial assistance to those affected. In a heartfelt statement, CEO Ed Bastian expressed gratitude to first responders and reaffirmed the airline’s unwavering commitment to safety. While the experience had been harrowing, he emphasized that the most important outcome was that every single passenger had made it out alive.
As the aviation industry reflected on the near-tragedy, urgent discussions reignited around airport infrastructure, pilot training, and cold-weather safety protocols. Experts debated whether airports prone to heavy snowfall should implement stricter landing regulations or invest in more advanced de-icing technology. While no immediate policy changes had been announced, the incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of air travel.
For the survivors of Flight 4819, the experience was life-altering. Some admitted they might never feel entirely safe flying again, while others expressed nothing but gratitude for their second chance at life. Relief, disbelief, and lingering fear mixed in a whirlwind of emotions—feelings that would take time to fully process.
February 17, 2025, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most terrifying days in modern aviation history. Yet, despite the sheer horror of the crash, it remains a miracle that no lives were lost. What could have been an unspeakable tragedy instead became a testament to human resilience—the courage of the flight crew, the quick thinking of emergency responders, and the unbreakable will to survive.
Even as investigations continue, those who lived through that day will never forget the sight of a shattered plane resting on a snowy runway, the blaring sirens, the panicked cries, and the desperate rush to escape the wreckage. And for those who only watched from afar, it stands as a sobering reminder—of both the fragility of life and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.
