Warning: This article contains graphic description, images and video which some readers may find distressing
The 80 people onboard the Delta Air Lines flight that crashed and flipped upside down in Toronto yesterday were safely evacuated, but an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Yesterday (February 17) at around 3.30pm Eastern time, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crashed and flipped upside down while trying to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada, after taking off from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
There were 80 people onboard the Bombardier CRJ-900 plane – 76 passengers and four members of crew – with officials reporting every person was safely evacuated. However, at least 18 were transported to hospital with injuries.
Moments before the Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crash
A recording from ‘LiveATC.net’ revealed an air traffic controller in conversation with the Delta Air Lines plane’s pilots prior to the crash, with the controller stating: “Endeavor Air 4819. Turn right heading 210. Descent to 3,000. Cleared ILS 23 approach.”
Another voice responds: “Alright heading 210. Down to 3,000. Cleared through the ILS, 23. Endeavor 4819.”
However, air traffic control then warns of winds measuring ’27’ and gusts ’33’ adding despite the plane being ‘cleared to land Runway 23,’ it ‘may get a slight bump’ and ‘there will be an aircraft in front of it’.
After another comment approving the plane as being ‘clear to land,’ the next comment is from the ‘other pilot’ who states: “We need crash fire rescue on the runway.”
A voice confirms the plane has ‘crashed’ and emergency services are ‘needed’, to which air traffic control reassures: “Yeah, we’re on it. We got someone coming out.”
Moments after the crash landing in Toronto
Audio from air traffic control between a controller and pilot of a nearby Medevac flight sees the controller state: “LifeFlight 1, Medevac, just so you are aware, there are people outside walking around the aircraft there.”
The Medevac pilot confirms it’s seen the crash, adding: “The aircraft is upside down and burning.”
Passengers took to social media to speak out about the crash, one sharing footage after evacuating the plane and another from inside the jet, moments after it flipped upside down.
A passenger called Ashley Zook took to Snapchat to share a video of herself inside the plane still in her seat alongside the caption: “My plane crashed. I’m upside down.”
She can be heard saying: “What the f**k.”
Zook then shared a video once safely evacuated from the aircraft, showing the plane upside down on the ground and other passengers around her.”I was just in a plane crash. Oh my God,” she says, the video shared by CBC.
Another passenger named John Nelson also took to social media, sharing a video to Facebook to explain the plane ‘crashed’ and is ‘upside down’ and there are officials on site.
