On February 17, 5:45 PM EST, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, experienced a severe incident upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis, carried 80 individuals—76 passengers and four crew members. During the landing, the plane flipped upside down on the runway, resulting in 21 reported injuries. Remarkably, there were no fatalities, and most of the injured have since been released from medical care.
Weather conditions at the time were challenging, with gusty crosswinds and blowing snow affecting the area. Despite these factors, airport officials reported that the runway was dry, and the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the inquiry, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s black boxes for detailed analysis.
In the aftermath, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian addressed the media, confirming that the flight crew was experienced and well-trained for winter operations. He commended their swift actions during the evacuation, which contributed to the absence of fatalities. Bastian refrained from disclosing the identities of the crew members, emphasizing their professionalism and adherence to safety protocols.
This incident has sparked discussions regarding Delta’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. The airline has been a vocal proponent of DEI initiatives, actively seeking to diversify its workforce and promote an inclusive culture. Their ‘Close the Gap’ strategy aims to align leadership representation with the diversity of frontline employees.
Amid federal rollbacks of DEI programs, Delta has reaffirmed its commitment to these initiatives, with executives stating that such policies are “critical” to their business operations.
As the inquiry progresses, Delta continues to support the affected passengers and crew, while maintaining its stance on the importance of DEI in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for both employees and customers.
Sources:
https://nypost.com/2025/02/18/us-news/what-caused-the-delta-air-lines-flight-to-flip-upside-down-here-are-the-clues/
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-a-delta-flight-crash-landed-and-flipped-over-toronto-2025-2
https://people.com/delta-plane-crashes-while-landing-at-toronto-airport-upside-down-11681140
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33426058/delta-plane-crash-toronto-minneapolis-airport/
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/18/us/what-we-know-delta-plane-crash-canada/index.html
https://www.delta.com/us/en/about-delta/diversity
https://esghub.delta.com/content/esg/en/2023/diversity-equity-inclusion.html
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/delta-air-lines-dei-commitment
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/delta-ceo-says-flight-crew-toronto-plane-that-crashed-was-experienced-2025-02-19/