A Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson Airport in a dramatic and terrifying incident that saw the aircraft erupt into a massive fireball upon touchdown.
The shocking moment was captured in a newly surfaced video, showing the impact as Delta Flight 4819 skidded across the icy runway before flipping over and coming to a stop on its roof. Miraculously, despite the horrifying crash, all 80 passengers and crew on board survived.
The chilling footage, obtained by TMZ, reveals the plane attempting to land under severe weather conditions. The aircraft, with its landing gear deployed, touches down on the runway, but almost immediately begins skidding uncontrollably.
Within seconds, the left side of the plane bursts into flames, engulfing the aircraft in a massive fireball as thick black smoke fills the sky. The jet then flips over, disappearing behind the smoke as it comes to a halt.
According to passenger John Nelson, who later spoke to CNN, the landing was chaotic and nerve-wracking. "It was super windy when we were coming in. The plane skidded on its right side, and suddenly, a fireball exploded from the left. Before we knew it, we were upside down," he recalled.
As the plane lay overturned on the runway, passengers and crew scrambled to escape the wreckage. Video footage shows them climbing out of the front and rear doors of the fuselage, rushing down the snow-covered tarmac as emergency crews battled the flames.
Firefighters worked quickly, spraying the aircraft with water to contain the blaze.
Delta confirmed that at least 18 people sustained injuries in the crash, including a child and one other passenger who were airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. However, authorities later stated that neither individual suffered life-threatening injuries.
The crash occurred during a snowstorm that had dumped over eight inches of snow on Toronto Pearson Airport, creating treacherous landing conditions. Officials said the airport had been working to clear the runways throughout the day, but the storm had already caused numerous delays and cancellations.
The combination of strong winds, icy runways, and limited visibility likely contributed to the aircraft’s loss of control upon landing. Experts suggest that the severe crosswinds could have forced the plane into an uncontrollable skid, ultimately leading to the fiery crash.
Despite the terrifying sequence of events, the survival of all 80 people on board is being hailed as nothing short of miraculous. Aviation analysts say that the aircraft's structure and the swift response from emergency crews played a significant role in preventing a greater catastrophe.
"This could have been far worse," said one aviation safety expert. "The fact that the plane flipped over and still allowed for passengers to escape is a testament to modern aircraft design and the efficiency of emergency responders."
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on the weather conditions, the aircraft's response, and whether pilot decisions or mechanical failures played a role. Delta Air Lines has pledged full cooperation with authorities and expressed gratitude that all passengers and crew survived.
In a statement, Delta said, "Our hearts are with the injured passengers, and we are providing full support to those affected. We are also working closely with investigators to determine what led to this accident."
Survivors have taken to social media to share their experiences, with many expressing gratitude for being alive. One passenger posted, "I thought we were all gone. Seeing that fireball outside the window was terrifying. I just ran the moment they opened the door."
Another traveler described the scene inside the cabin after impact: "People were screaming, and there was smoke everywhere. The crew did an amazing job getting us out quickly."
The aviation industry is closely watching the investigation as questions arise about flight operations during severe weather. While pilots are trained for challenging landings, conditions like those seen in Toronto raise concerns about the risks of attempting landings in extreme winter storms.
For now, passengers and crew of Delta Flight 4819 are counting their blessings, knowing they narrowly escaped a disaster that could have ended far differently.
