Delta Airlines plane overturns during landing, injuring 18
Toronto — A Delta Airlines plane flipped over while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, injuring 18 passengers, including a child. Officials confirmed that all 76 passengers and four crew members survived the crash. The flight, which originated from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, was attempting to land when it overturned, leaving passengers in a terrifying situation.
Passengers recount horror
Survivors of the crash described the harrowing moments as the plane flipped. Speaking to CNN, one passenger recalled hanging upside down from their seat “like a bat.”
Passengers John Nelson and Peter Koukov detailed how they found themselves suspended in their seats as the aircraft flipped over. “When we got finished, I was upside down, everybody else was there as well,” said Nelson, recounting the chaotic moment the plane hit the ground and turned sideways. “We tried to get out of there as quickly as possible,” he added.
A fire reportedly broke out as the aircraft crashed into the runway, but emergency crews acted swiftly, spraying fire retardant onto the overturned plane.
“I did notice the winds were super gusty. The snow had kind of blown over the runways. So coming in, it was routine but noticeable that the runways were in kind of a weird condition,” Nelson said.
“We were upside down hanging like bats” when the aircraft came to a standstill, Koukov recalled. Nelson and Koukov managed to unbuckle themselves, falling onto the ceiling before helping others who struggled to free themselves.
The scene was chaotic as frightened passengers scrambled to evacuate. Flight attendants assisted them in crawling out of the aircraft through the emergency exits. Passengers were instructed to leave their belongings behind, though some exited with their luggage. They jumped onto the snow-covered runway amid harsh winds, holding onto their clothes to protect themselves from the freezing temperatures.
Investigation underway
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. “There is a plane crash. However, we don’t know the circumstances surrounding it at this point,” said constable Sarah Patten of the Peel Regional Police in Ontario, speaking to Reuters.
The incident is the latest in a series of aviation accidents in North America. In January, an American Airlines regional jet collided midair with a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 onboard.
