Survivors of Delta Plane Crash in Toronto Describe Chaos Inside the Upside-Down Aircraft

Delta Flight Crash at Toronto Pearson Leaves Passengers Hanging Upside Down

A routine landing turned into a terrifying ordeal on Monday afternoon as a Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 80 passengers and crew, flipped onto its roof upon impact, sending fire crews rushing to extinguish the flames.

Despite the catastrophic nature of the accident, all passengers survived, though 18 people were injured and transported to area hospitals. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and both Canadian and American investigators are now working to determine what led to the aircraft’s unexpected upending.

A Harrowing Escape: ‘We Were Hanging Like Bats’

Inside the overturned CRJ900 aircraft, passengers were left suspended upside down in their seats, strapped in by their seatbelts. The cabin was filled with smoke, debris, and the smell of burning fuel, as emergency crews scrambled to contain the damage.

Passenger Peter Koukov described the moment of impact:

“We didn’t know anything was wrong until the plane hit the ground. It felt like it turned sideways, and when it stopped, we were all upside down.”

Another survivor, John Nelson, recalled the desperate attempt to escape:

“We tried to get out as quickly as possible. People were yelling for us to move, and as soon as we got out, there was another explosion. Luckily, the firefighters arrived just in time.”

As the flames spread, first responders coated the aircraft’s fuselage with thick sheets of white fire retardant. Video footage shows the melted fiberglass frame, while dark smoke stains ran down the aircraft’s side.

Extreme Weather and Sudden Impact: What Led to the Crash?

Delta Flight 4819 was cleared for landing at 2:00 PM local time. However, strong winds of up to 38 mph were recorded at the airport, complicating landing conditions.

The airport had been battling 8 inches of snowfall, which covered parts of the runway.
Air traffic controllers warned the pilots about potential turbulence, but no distress signals were reported before impact.
Within seconds of touchdown, the plane flipped upside down, igniting a fireball on the runway.

The terrifying moment was captured in air traffic control audio, where a nearby medical helicopter pilot responded to the crash:

“Yeah, we’ve got it. The aircraft is upside down and burning.”

Survivors Describe Moments of Panic

For many passengers, the ordeal was pure chaos. After impact, some struggled to free themselves from their seatbelts, while others dropped from their seats onto the cabin ceiling.

Peter Carlson, a survivor, described the desperate rush to escape:

“It was cement and metal everywhere. The only thought in my mind was: Get out.”

Flight attendants assisted passengers, urging them to leave belongings behind. However, some still exited with carry-on bags, despite the dangerous situation.

Evacuees were seen jumping from the exit doors onto the snow-covered runway, shielding themselves from the bitter cold and wind as they moved away from the burning aircraft.

Toronto Pearson Temporarily Shuts Down Operations

The crash forced Toronto Pearson International Airport to halt all runway operations, causing major flight disruptions at Canada’s busiest airport.

Over 200 flights were canceled by 4:15 PM local time.
Several flights were diverted to Montreal and other nearby airports.
Passengers inside the terminal described the scene as “messed up”, with luggage piling up across multiple terminals.

By 5:00 PM, three runways had reopened, but the two runways where the crash occurred remain closed for investigation. Authorities estimate they will remain shut for several days as aviation experts analyze the crash site.

Aviation Safety Concerns on the Rise

This marks the fourth major aviation accident in North America within a single month. The crash comes just three weeks after an American Airlines plane collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.

Authorities are now questioning whether current aviation safety measures are sufficient, especially in extreme weather conditions.

The last major aviation accident at Toronto Pearson was in 2005, when an Air France jet skidded off the runway and burst into flames. Remarkably, all 309 passengers survived that incident, much like the Delta crash.

Investigation Underway: What Happens Next?

Both Canadian and U.S. aviation authorities are leading an investigation to determine:

What caused the aircraft to flip?
Whether pilot error, mechanical failure, or weather conditions played a role.
If additional safety protocols are needed for landings in extreme conditions.

For now, passengers and aviation experts alike are grateful that no lives were lost in this shocking accident.