At least 18 individuals sustained injuries in a plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where an aircraft ended up upside down on the snowy tarmac. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM local time on February 17, 2025, involving a flight operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Airlines, which was arriving from Minneapolis.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, and all 80 people on board, including 76 passengers and four crew members, were evacuated safely. Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken reported that the injuries varied from minor to serious; however, none were considered life-threatening. A spokesperson from the Peel Region paramedic service confirmed that the affected individuals were receiving appropriate medical attention.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were challenging, with blowing snow and winds reaching up to 65 mph. The temperature was around -8.6 degrees Celsius, and prior to the incident, the airport had already experienced significant delays due to the recent snowfall, which totaled over 53 centimeters in the past week.
In a press conference, Chief Aitken noted that there were no crosswinds on the runway, which was dry when the aircraft attempted to land. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has announced that a team will be deployed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following the crash, all flight operations at the airport were temporarily halted, resuming around 5 PM local time. However, Delta Airlines announced that their flights would remain suspended for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed relief that there were no fatalities, stating that provincial officials are in contact with local authorities to provide any necessary support. Delta Airlines has acknowledged the incident and is cooperating with the investigation.
This event follows two recent aviation tragedies in North America, including a collision between an army helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the deaths of 67 people, and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia that claimed at least seven lives. The latest incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry, particularly in adverse weather conditions.