Dramatic air traffic control recordings reveal the tense moments following the crash landing of Delta Connection Flight 4819 at Toronto Pearson Airport. The CRJ-900 jet, operated by Endeavor Air, flipped and caught fire upon landing, creating a chaotic scene on the tarmac. Remarkably, all 76 passengers and 4 crew members survived the incident, though 18 individuals sustained injuries.
The audio captures the initial alarm, with an official reporting the crash and observers noting people moving around the burning wreckage. Airport personnel quickly confirmed the situation, describing the aircraft as "upside down and burning." The flight, originating from Minneapolis-St. Paul, came to a fiery halt around 2:15 p.m., leading to a temporary suspension of airport operations.
Among the injured, three were in critical condition, including a four-year-old child transported to The Hospital for Sick Children. Two other critically injured individuals were airlifted to separate trauma centers. Peel Regional Paramedic Services Superintendent Lawrence Saindon confirmed that none of the critical injuries were life-threatening, while others suffered minor cuts and scrapes.
Delta Air Lines swiftly responded, prioritizing the care of those affected. CEO Ed Bastian expressed sympathy and gratitude to first responders and Delta/Endeavor teams. Delta's incident response team, composed of specially trained personnel, was deployed to Toronto to offer support to passengers and their families. Endeavor Air CEO Jim Graham also traveled to the scene to cooperate with investigators.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed relief at the survival of all onboard and thanked first responders. Emergency response expert Jason Pack highlighted the differences between Canadian and American emergency response protocols, noting the specialized role of Canadian airport firefighters and the distinct separation between firefighter and paramedic duties.
A thorough investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
