Weather may have been a factor in plane crash at major Canadian airport
The incident, which involved a Delta Air Lines plane flying into Toronto from Minneapolis, may have been affected by the weather at the time of the crash. Parts of southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), have been dealing with lake-effect snow and strong winds on Monday.
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While details are still emerging, numerous photos posted on X show the plane had flipped on its back after crashing on the runway.
Emergency services are on scene to assist with the incident, including Peel Regional Police and the Ornge Air Ambulance.
'One paediatric patient is currently being transported to Sick Kids with critical injuries,' Ornge told Global News Monday afternoon.
CBC News reported that eight people have been injured, including three with critical injuries, citing officials from the Ornge Air Ambulance. A superintendent with the Peel Region paramedic service says all of the other roughly 80 passengers and crew are accounted for, and not believed to be injured at this time.
All passengers and crews accounted for after plane Crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport, according to the airport.Apparent video shows the Delta Airlines plane upside down. pic.twitter.com/tJADyR8SFq
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) February 17, 2025
At the time of the landing attempt, the sustained winds were at 52 km/h, gusting as high as 65 km/h, from a 270-degree angle. The gusts are near the operational limits of the aircraft, with a total crosswind component of 41 km/h.
The plane landed in a heavy, crosswind condition as it lowered onto the surface at Pearson airport. The wind was nearly perpendicular to the No. 23 runway, creating a significant crosswind from the right side of the aircraft on approach and landing.
Sudden wind shifts can destabilize the approach, and blowing snow on the surface can reduce the braking effectiveness.
According to CBC, Pearson airport's runways are now closed until at least Tuesday, citing a notice from aviation officials.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned as more details are released.
With files from CBC News, and Tyler Hamilton, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, and Nathan Howes, a digital journalist at The Weather Network.
Thumbnail courtesy of DoraDalton/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus.
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