Toronto plane crash survivor describes 'mayhem' after terrified passengers hung upside down on Delta jet
A passenger from the Delta Air Lines plane that crashed in Toronto recalled the harrowing moment the aircraft hit the runway and flipped over, propelling passengers into the air while they hung from their seat belts.
Peter Koukov, who was traveling from Denver to Toronto on Monday, caught the moments after the crash-landing on camera as passengers de-boarded the aircraft. He joined "America's Newsroom" to discuss the the harrowing incident.
"Basically, we hit the ground and kind of just bounced up and turned on our side and were sliding on our side for a while," Koukov told Dana Perino on Tuesday. "Honestly, not as long as I thought we were going to slide for, and then we ended up upside down and we were… hanging by our seat belts upside down for a second."
"We made it off safely," he continued. "Everyone is alive, thankfully."
The CRJ-900 jet, which was bound for Toronto Pearson International Airport, had departed from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport on Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration said all 80 people aboard the jet were evacuated, as images also showed the aircraft belly up in the snow at Toronto's airport. Before the crash, high winds and drifting snow reportedly had already prompted flight delays and cancelations at Pearson.
"There was no warning from the pilot," Koukov said. "There was no… physical warning either. I didn't feel like anything was wrong until kind of just like the second the wheels touched the ground… It all kind of went mayhem from there."
Air traffic control audio released after the crash depicts officials describing how the plane was "ups-side-down and burning" on the tarmac.
Delta Air Lines said "18 customers with injuries" had been transported to area hospitals. At least three people suffered critical but not life-threatening injuries, a spokesperson for the paramedic service that was on scene told Fox News Digital.
Two patients were taken by air ambulance to two different trauma centers – Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and St. Michael's Hospital – in Toronto. A child, about four years old, was transported to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
"You're kind of just hanging suspended," Koukov said. "Me and that girl next to me were… able to get out pretty quickly and kind of like climb… sort of fall down to the ground, which was in the ceiling. And then other people kind of needed some help and people were sort of falling. But I don't think anyone… was hurt by getting down from their seat belts."
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is expected to take the lead.
"The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today's incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement.
"I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site. We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information on news.delta.com as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
101-year-old Dunwoody veteran travels to France for 81st D-Day anniversary
The Brief Hilbert Margol, 101, traveled from Dunwoody, Georgia, to Normandy, France, to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, honoring the fallen soldiers of World War II. A World War II veteran who helped liberate Dachau concentration camp, Margol reflected on the sacrifices made and was awarded France's Legion of Honour last year. Despite his accomplishments, Margol humbly states, "I never considered myself or any of the other veterans heroes because in my judgment, the heroes are the guys who didn't make it back." ATLANTA - At 101 years old, Dunwoody resident and World War II veteran Hilbert Margol made the journey to Normandy, France, this week to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, joining a small group of surviving veterans honoring those who fought and died in the pivotal battle. Although Margol did not serve on D-Day itself, he was part of the Allied forces that ultimately secured victory in World War II. He first visited Normandy last year for the 80th anniversary and immediately knew he wanted to return. "It was such a fantastic trip. I said, I have to go back again," Margol said. Before leaving for France, Margol shared a farewell kiss with his wife of more than 70 years — a moment captured just as it was during his trip the year before. During last year's visit, Margol toured the Normandy American Cemetery, reflecting on the sacrifice made by thousands of soldiers, even though he didn't personally know any of the men buried there. PREVIOUS STORY: Dunwoody vet travels to France for D-Day anniversary, receives France's highest honor "I know that those that were gave all of the freedom that this country enjoys, and it was quite emotional at the time," he said. More than 2,500 American soldiers lost their lives on D-Day alone, with more than 400,000 Americans dying during the war. Over 16 million Americans were called to serve. "All the veterans that I served with, you know, were born and grew up during the Great Depression. So we were used to tough times. So going into combat was not that difficult," Margol recalled. Margol's military service included a profound and somber moment — alongside his twin brother, he was among the first American soldiers to enter the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945. "We knew almost nothing about such camps, so whatever we saw, witnessed a lot of dead bodies and so forth. We didn't understand why they were there, why they were dead," Margol said. Last year, Margol was one of 11 U.S. veterans awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit. "When President Macron of France pinned the medal on my jacket, he leaned over and kissed me on both cheeks, which I expected because that's European custom," Margol said. His trips to Normandy were made possible through the support of the Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines. Despite the accolades, Margol remains humble about his service. "I never considered myself or any of the other veterans heroes because in my judgment, the heroes are the guys who didn't make it back," he said. For Margol, the journey across the Atlantic wasn't about reliving history — it was about paying tribute to those who never returned.
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Passenger wars heat up with the latest battle over air conditioning vents on a plane: ‘Demanded a cup of hot water'
Who owns the air up there? A chilly mid-air conflict is the latest drama to erupt in the not-so-friendly skies — this time over who controls the personal air conditioning vent on a Delta flight. One passenger took to Reddit to blow off steam after his seatmate kept closing his overhead nozzle — even though it was pointed squarely at his own face. 'The person sitting in the middle has now 3 times closed my AC vent either while 'adjusting' their own vent or when I stood up to go to the bathroom,' the air-deprived traveler griped. 'The vent is pointed towards my face, nowhere near their direction.' After giving the vent villain three strikes, the poster decided to speak up the fourth time — and was met with icy resistance. 'This dude looked me in the eyes and said I paid for my seat, not the communal AC system,' the Redditor recounted in a May 29 update. Apparently, the sky-high squabble escalated when the man defended his right to meddle with someone else's cool breeze by proclaiming, 'people don't always get their way in public transportation and that the current temperature was more than comfortable.' The man then doubled down — demanding a cup of hot water from the flight attendant to warm his fragile frame, reportedly 'holding it against his pulse points while animatedly shivering.' 3 A steamed-up flyer aired his gripe on Reddit after a meddling seatmate kept shutting his AC vent — even though it was blasting him right in the face. steuccio79 – Fellow Redditors were quick to blast the frosty flyer for his 'mental gymnastics,' with one writing, 'The mental gymnastics this guy had to do to say 'people don't get their way on public transportation' whilst continuing to demand that he gets his was on public transportation, is staggering.' Another chimed in: 'This just happened to me… Some people! Jeesh!' Others offered advice on how to deal with such airborne antics. 'Excuse me, I'm not sure whether you realize you're closing my AC vent, but I'd prefer it open. Thanks!' one suggested. 'And if they do it again, be petty and call the FA.' One user served up the most rational take of all: 'People need to bring layers on a plane.' 3 Reddit users roasted the shivering seatmate, mocking his 'mental gymnastics' and melodramatic hot-water routine like he was starring in a mile-high soap opera. Irina – Tensions over territory are nothing new on planes. The New York Post previously reported on another frequent flyer feud — the dreaded seat swap — which flight attendants say can lead to chaos at 30,000 feet. 'Just beware!' warned Leanna Coy, a Connecticut-based crew member who once made the mistake of switching seats only to find out the person she swapped with could technically charge purchases to her stored credit card. In a highly viewed TikTok clip she added, 'If the person you switch with does anything to act up on the plane, that can now come back on you.' When it comes to seat rights — or vent rights — it seems that it's every passenger for themselves. 3 Sky-high turf wars are nothing new — The Post previously reported on the infamous seat-swap saga, with flight attendants warning it's a recipe for chaos at 30,000 feet. Getty Images As one Reddit user lamented in the aforementioned thread, 'Wait, HE said sometimes people don't get their way on public transportation and you didn't just say 'you're right, so quit touching my goddamned vent'? Missed opportunity.' The only real consensus? On today's flights, bring your own snacks, patience — and definitely a sweater.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Delta flight diverted to CVG airport after ‘mechanical issue'
A Delta flight from Chicago was diverted to CVG Airport in Northern Kentucky Tuesday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Delta Flight 2417 made an emergency landing just after 3 p.m., according to our news partner, WCPO in Cincinnati. TRENDING STORIES: Officers looking for man, woman last seen at Troy Aquatic Park Busy street closed after serious motorcycle crash in Montgomery County Bodies of 3 sisters found after visit with their father; Court records reveal likely cause of death A Delta spokesperson said the plane had a 'mechanical issue' but did not say what caused it. 'The flight landed without incident and taxied to the gate where customers deplaned normally,' the spokesperson said. The flight originated from Chicago's Midway Airport to Atlanta, WCPO said. The spokesperson added that they 'reaccommodated the passengers onto a new aircraft to Atlanta.' No one was hurt in the emergency landing. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
