A Delta Airlines plane flipped after landing at Toronto Pearson Airport, injuring 17 people on Monday. The flight, arriving from Minneapolis, touched down around 2:15 p.m., and as a result, the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR ended up on its roof on the snowy tarmac. The airport confirmed that 76 passengers and four crew members were onboard.

Flights Grounded and Emergency Response Prompted

Following the incident, flights at the airport were grounded for approximately two and a half hours. In response, emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene to assist. Additionally, Ornge air ambulance transported one child to SickKids hospital and two adults to nearby hospitals.

“We are very grateful there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries,” stated Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Weather Conditions and Their Possible Role

Weather likely played a significant role in the crash. Strong winds and blowing snow were reported at the time, with temperatures around 16.5°F (-8.6°C). In light of these conditions, John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, said, “It’s very rare to see something like this…”

However, despite the challenging weather, Cox emphasized that the CRJ-900 is designed to handle such conditions. "The weather conditions were windy... But the airplanes are designed and certified to handle that," Cox noted.

Investigation into Missing Wing and Other Key Questions

A major question that arose was why the plane was missing its right wing. Cox explained that losing one wing could cause the plane to roll over. Therefore, investigators will examine the flight data and cockpit voice recorder to uncover the cause of the incident.

Public and Official Reactions to the Incident

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed relief, stating, “I am relieved there are no casualties after the incident at Toronto Pearson.” Meanwhile, Delta CEO Ed Bastian also shared his concerns, saying, “The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident.”

Ongoing Investigation and Possible Implications

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Consequently, this crash adds to a series of recent significant aviation incidents across North America.

The CRJ-900, a popular regional jet, is operated by Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. Endeavor Air runs 130 of these aircraft across North America, and this model remains a key player in the airline's fleet.