Toronto, Canada, Feb 18, (V7N)- A Delta Air Lines jet operated by its subsidiary Endeavor Air crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, flipping upside down and leaving at least 17 people injured, officials said. The incident, which occurred during a snowstorm, did not result in any fatalities, but it has raised concerns about aviation safety amid harsh winter conditions.

Endeavor Air Flight 4819, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, was arriving from Minneapolis, Minnesota, when it crash-landed in the afternoon. Dramatic images shared on social media and local broadcasts showed the CRJ-900 aircraft upside down on the tarmac, with its wings clipped and smoke rising from the fuselage. Passengers were seen stumbling away from the wreckage, shielding their faces from strong winds and blowing snow.

Paramedic services reported that 17 people were injured, including three critically—a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s. Delta Air Lines later confirmed that 18 people had sustained injuries. All injured passengers and crew were transported to area hospitals by ambulance or helicopter.

Toronto airport authorities praised the emergency crews for their swift and effective response. "They reached the site within minutes and quickly evacuated the passengers," said Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. She added that some passengers had already been reunited with their families.

The airport temporarily suspended all flights following the incident, causing significant delays. Operations resumed around 5:00 PM local time, more than two hours after the crash, but passengers were warned to expect long delays throughout the evening.

John Nelson, a passenger on the flight, posted a video on Facebook from the tarmac, showing the overturned aircraft. "Our plane crashed. It's upside down," he narrated. "Most people appear to be okay. We're all getting off."

Delta Air Lines issued a statement expressing its concern for those affected. "The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today's incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

The crash occurred amid challenging weather conditions in Toronto. A massive snowstorm hit eastern Canada on Sunday, bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds. Although the snow had stopped by Monday, frigid temperatures and high winds persisted, creating hazardous conditions for air travel.

The airport had earlier warned of a busy day, with over 130,000 travelers expected to pass through its terminals on approximately 1,000 flights. Airlines had added extra flights to make up for cancellations caused by the weekend storm.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, and no official explanation has been provided for how the plane ended up upside down. Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to the site, and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also sent a team to assist in the investigation.

Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand confirmed that 80 people were onboard the flight and stated that she was closely monitoring the situation. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed relief that there were no fatalities.

The crash adds to a series of recent aviation incidents in North America. Last month, a mid-air collision between a US Army helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities. Earlier this year, a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia claimed seven lives.

As investigators work to determine the cause of Monday’s crash, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by winter weather and the importance of stringent safety measures in aviation.

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