Survivors of Delta Plane Crash in Toronto Describe Chaos Inside Upside-Down Aircraft
Auto Refresh and Link Loop
The CRJ900 aircraft, operated by Endeavor Air, a regional carrier for Delta, was attempting to land amid strong winds and snowy conditions when it flipped and skidded across the runway. Fire crews rushed to extinguish flames as passengers evacuated the overturned plane, some jumping several feet from the exit doors onto the icy tarmac.
Delta Air Lines confirmed in a statement that there were no fatalities, and Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, expressed relief at the relatively minor injuries. However, the incident has raised concerns about flight safety, as this marks the fourth major aviation accident in North America in the past month.
A Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Toronto ended in chaos on Monday afternoon when the plane crashed upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping upside down and leaving passengers suspended in their seats. Miraculously, all 80 passengers and crew survived, though 18 people were injured and transported to local hospitals, including a child who is reportedly in good condition.
The Crash: Chaos and Heroic Evacuation
Passengers described a scene of confusion and terror as the plane flipped and caught fire. John Nelson, one of the survivors, recounted being upside down and hanging from his seatbelt. “We tried to get out as quickly as possible,” he said, adding that another explosion occurred shortly after evacuation.
Peter Koukov, another passenger, likened the experience to “hanging like bats.” He managed to unbuckle himself and stand on the plane’s ceiling, helping others down from their seats. Flight attendants guided passengers to the exits, urging them to leave their belongings behind, though some still carried small bags as they jumped to safety.
A nearby medical helicopter diverted to assist, with the pilot reporting, “The aircraft is upside down and burning.” Firefighters quickly doused the plane with fire retardant, but the cause of the fire remains unclear.
**Weather and Airport Conditions**
The crash occurred amid challenging weather conditions, with wind gusts reaching 38 mph and snow covering the airport. Air traffic controllers had warned the pilots of potential turbulence during the approach. Despite the conditions, the plane was cleared to land.
The accident forced Toronto Pearson, Canada’s busiest airport, to temporarily shut down all five runways, causing widespread delays and cancellations. Over 200 flights were canceled by late afternoon, with some diverted to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
**Investigation Underway**
Canadian and American authorities are now investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest the plane flipped shortly before landing, but the exact sequence of events remains unclear. The incident has drawn comparisons to a 2005 Air France crash at the same airport, where all 309 passengers and crew survived after the plane skidded off the runway and caught fire.
As survivors recover and investigators piece together what happened, the crash serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of safety measures.
*Media Amanda Jackson, Aaron Cooper, Elise Hammond, Alexandra Skores, Max Saltman, and Michael Rios contributed to this report.*
0 comments:
Post a Comment