Pro Skier Pete Koukov Climbs Out of Delta Airlines Wreckage
A recent string of airline disasters has plagued the front pages of North American news sites since the New Year. Yesterday, February 17, 2025, disaster nearly struck again when a Delta Airlines flight tipped over as it landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport shortly before 3 p.m. local time. According to CNN, a strong gust of wind hit the plane just as it touched down causing it to roll over.80 passengers were on board, including professional skier Pete Koukov. Koukov filmed a dramatic video as he was hurried off the plane through a side door. As he emerges into the daylight on the snowy tarmac of Toronto, the terrifying scene unfolds.Watch Koukov's video below. Tap or click to play. Viewer discretion advised for strong language and distressing scenes.
POWDER had reached out to Koukov for comment, but had not received a response at time of publishing. This article will be updated should Koukov accept our interview request.The clip is going viral across the internet due to its inherently dramatic nature. The scene of the overturned plane as passengers evacuate and fire crews respond resembles a scene out of a movie, not real life.Koukov, understandably, lets out some choice swear words as he reflects on what just happened. "Oh my f***ing god. I was just on this f***ing plane," he can be heard exclaiming repeatedly.The world of freeskiing quickly came to show their support for Koukov in the comments. Phil Casabon, Alex Hall, Henrik Harlaut, Tom Wallisch, Hunter Hess, Jonah Williams, Jossi Wells, Cole Richardson, Addison Rafford and more posted comments of love expressing their gratitude that Koukov was okay.Koukov, who isn't as well known by the mainstream like some of the athletes that commented on his post, is often thrown into the category of 'Your Favorite Skier's Favorite Skier'.Why? You might ask? Just take a look at the clip below of him skiing a church roof in South Dakota. At the time, he described climbing to the top of the roof as, "the scariest thing I'll ever do."Tap or click to watch Koukov descend the roof.
He might want to update that caption to say: "This one time i skied down a church in south dakota and climbing up it was the scariest thing ill ever (intentionally) do," after the overturned plane accident he survived yesterday.Everybody here at POWDER is elated that Koukov and the 80 passengers aboard the flight are okay. CNN is reporting that 18 people were injured, but no deaths have occurred at this time.We will continue to update this article.Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world's best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.
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