Preliminary Report on Delta Plane Crash at Toronto Pearson Airport

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued a detailed preliminary report regarding the incident involving a Delta Airlines flight that occurred at Toronto Pearson Airport.

Overview of the Incident

On February 18, 2025, Delta Flight EDV4819, originating from Minneapolis, encountered a critical failure upon landing. As the aircraft descended to land on Runway 23, its right landing gear collapsed, leading to the plane overturning and detachment of one wing. The incident resulted in the spillage of jet fuel onto the snow-covered runway, which was compounded by several days of heavy snowfall in the area.

TSB Findings and Investigation Focus

The TSB’s initial report highlighted an explosion that occurred on the left wing of the aircraft shortly after the evacuation of passengers and crew. The cause of this explosion is currently undetermined.

Investigators are focusing their efforts on several critical aspects, including:

• Metallurgical analysis of the wing structure
• Assessment of landing techniques
• Review of pilot training procedures
• Evaluation of the passenger evacuation process

Details from the Preliminary Report

The plane involved was a MHI RJ Aviation Group CL-600-2D24 model (CRJ-900LR), identified by registration number N932XJ. The aircraft operated from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to Toronto Pearson, but during the landing phase, it suffered a hard impact that resulted in the right wing detaching and initiating a fire.

The aircraft ended up sliding on its back to a stop near the intersection of Runway 23 and Runway 15L, where emergency services promptly intervened.

Data Recovery

Investigation teams recovered vital data from the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR), flight data recorder (FDR), and other essential electronic components. This data is now being analyzed at the TSB Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa.

Casualties and Responses

While all 80 individuals aboard the Delta Flight survived, 21 sustained injuries with several requiring hospitalization. Eyewitness accounts indicated that gusty winds and swirling snow conditions may have contributed to the accident during the landing approach.

Context of the Crash

Videos circulating on social media depicted the aftermath of the crash, showing the inverted aircraft on the tarmac as fire crews extinguished flames and passengers evacuated safely. It was reported that wind gusts of up to 40 mph were present during the landing attempt.

Recent Aviational Accidents

This incident at Toronto Pearson Airport is among several aviation accidents reported in 2025. Notably, mid-February saw a collision between two small planes near Tucson, Arizona, which resulted in fatalities.

In Alaska, early February witnessed the crash of a commuter plane that tragically claimed the lives of all ten occupants. Additionally, a medical transport flight crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing all six aboard and one individual on the ground.

Conclusion

The investigation into the Delta plane crash remains ongoing, with authorities prioritizing comprehensive analyses of flight operations and equipment integrity to prevent future incidents. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the TSB.