Delta plane flips upside down at Toronto airport, 18 injured
What's the story
A Delta Air Lines regional jet overturned on landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board.
The incident took place amid windy conditions after a snowstorm. Three passengers, including a child, suffered critical injuries.
The flight had taken off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and is operated by a CRJ900 aircraft from Delta's Endeavor Air subsidiary.
Aftermath documented
Crash aftermath captured on video, airport operations disrupted
The crash happened at 2:13pm local time after an 86-minute flight, with the aircraft resting near the intersection of Runway 23 and Runway 15.
Passenger John Nelson posted a video on Facebook of a fire engine spraying water on the overturned plane. He said the landing was normal until it flipped upside down.
The incident shut Toronto Pearson Airport for over two hours, resulting in ground delays and diversions to other airports.
Probe launched
Investigation underway into Delta Air Lines crash
Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which purchased Bombardier's CRJ aircraft program in 2020, has promised full cooperation with the investigation.
The incident comes after a spate of recent crashes in North America involving different aircraft types.
Response and confirmation
Airport president credits 1st responders, Delta confirms no fatalities
Toronto Pearson Airport president Deborah Flint lauded first responders for ensuring that no one lost their life.
"We are very grateful that there is no loss of life and relatively minor injuries," she said at a press conference.
Some of the passengers "have already been reunited with their friends and their families," she added.
Two runways at the airport will remain closed while officials investigate the crash, the CEO of the airport said.