On Monday, February 17, Delta Flight 4819 crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport shortly after landing on the runway. The plane, a CRJ900 aircraft, was arriving from Minneapolis when upon landing, skidded along the runway, turning on its side and then flipping upside down before coming to a halt. Videos of the crash show flames and black billowing smoke coming from the plane.
All 80 people – 76 passengers and four crew members – aboard the flight survived and were evacuated. According to Delta, at least 21 people were hospitalized. One adult and one child sustained critical but non-life-threatening injuries while the other injured passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Experts told news outlets it was extremely fortunate that everyone survived the crash, and that the flight attendants’ quick response contributed greatly to saving people. Passengers on board told reporters they were hanging upside down in their seats like bats when the plane came to a halt. To evacuate the aircraft, they had to unbuckle themselves and fall to the ceiling of the plane so they could exit to the tarmac.
A representative from Peel Regional Paramedic Services reported that injuries sustained by passengers in the crash ranged from head injuries and back sprains to nausea and vomiting from jet fuel exposure.
While Toronto experienced a major snowstorm over the weekend leading up to the crash, the day of the crash was categorized as a clear day. According to authorities, the runway was dry at the time of landing and there was no indication of crosswind conditions, though they did report that frigid temperatures and high winds were moving in just before the crash.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the crash.
The Uptick in Aviation Accidents in North America
The Delta Flight 4819 crash is the latest in a series of aviation accidents that have shaken travelers across North America in early 2025. Concerns over air travel safety have intensified as multiple incidents have occurred within a short period.
Recent accidents include:
- January 29: A collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, DC, resulted in the deaths of all passengers and the crews aboard both aircraft.
- January 31: A small medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six on board and one person on the ground, injuring at least 24 people on the ground, and damaging homes and businesses around the crash site.
- February 6: A regional airline flight crashed off the coast of western Alaska killing all 10 aboard.
What Can Cause Plane Crashes to Occur?
Aviation accidents can result from a variety of factors, often involving a combination of human error, mechanical failures, and environmental conditions. While commercial air travel is statistically one of the safest forms of transportation, when crashes do occur, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Some of the most common causes of plane crashes include:
- Pilot error – such as misjudging landing conditions, miscalculating fuel levels, or failing to follow proper protocols
- Mechanical errors – malfunctions in critical components of the aircraft, such as engines, landing gear, or flight control systems
- Adverse weather conditions – severe storms, heavy turbulence, low visibility, and strong winds can pose serious challenges for pilots during take-off and landing especially
- Runway incidents – poorly maintained runways, improper air traffic control instructions, or foreign object debris on the tarmac
- And more
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Plane Crash?
Determining liability in an aviation accident can be complex, as multiple parties may share responsibility. Depending on the cause of the crash, potentially liable entities include:
- The airline – if pilot error, inadequate maintenance, or poor operational procedures contributed to the crash
- Aircraft manufacturers – if a defect in the plane’s design or manufacturing played a role in the crash
- Parts manufacturers and suppliers – companies that produce defective components, such as faulty landing gear or malfunctioning avionics may be held liable if equipment failure contributed to the accident
- Maintenance providers – third-party maintenance companies responsible for inspecting and repairing the aircraft may be held accountable if improper servicing led to mechanical failure
- Air traffic control – mistakes made by air traffic controllers, such as miscommunications or improper routing, can contribute to crashes
- Airport operators – if poor runway conditions, inadequate de-icing, or improper emergency response contributed to the accident
National aviation safety boards will conduct thorough investigations into plane crashes to determine the cause and recommend safety improvements to implement to prevent future accidents.
Call Clifford Law Offices Today
If you were injured in the Delta Flight 4819 crash at the Toronto Pearson Airport, Clifford Law Offices may be able to help you. Contact us today by calling (312) 899-9090 to schedule your free initial consultation and find out if you have grounds to file a claim. Our top rated aviation litigation attorneys are standing by ready to help you get the justice you deserve.