On Monday, a Delta Airlines flight experienced a dramatic crash-landing at Toronto Pearson Airport, where strong winds and snowy conditions caused the plane to flip onto its back. The terrifying scene was captured on video by sports influencer Pete Koukov, who shared the footage on his Instagram account with the caption, “Being alive feels pretty cool today.”
The incident, which involved 80 passengers, left 18 injured. One passenger suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a trauma center. Among the injured was a child in similar condition. Several other passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Flight From Minneapolis Turns into a Nightmare
The flight, which was inbound from Minneapolis, had just landed at Toronto Pearson when the aircraft was caught in heavy winds and adverse weather conditions, leading to the crash. The plane’s wing was torn off upon landing, and it came to a stop upside down on the tarmac.
This incident marks a grim addition to the troubling series of airline crashes in recent weeks. Just three weeks prior, a deadly collision occurred between an American Airlines flight and a US Army helicopter in Washington DC, claiming 67 lives. Other recent tragedies included a medical flight crash in Philadelphia and a two-plane collision in Phoenix, Arizona, which resulted in one fatality and three injuries.
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Delta CEO Addresses the Incident
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his condolences and support for those affected by the crash. “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” Bastian wrote. He also praised the Delta and Endeavor team members, as well as the first responders who rushed to the scene.
“We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information on news.delta.com as soon as it becomes available,” Bastian added, urging everyone to stay safe.
Concerns Over Airline Safety Amid Growing Incidents
This crash comes amidst growing concerns over air safety, following several accidents in a short period of time. The spike in incidents has raised questions about airline protocols, particularly after recent staffing changes and layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the leadership of President Trump.
As investigations into the Toronto crash continue, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the incident, while the airline focuses on providing updates to affected passengers and the public.
