Air traffic control recordings have captured the tense moments following a Delta Airlines plane crash that left the aircraft flipped upside down.
On February 17 at around 3:30 PM Eastern time, Delta Airlines Flight 4819 crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada, after departing from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Despite the dramatic incident, all 76 passengers and four crew members were safely evacuated. However, officials report that at least 18 people sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Delta News Hub confirmed: “Initial reports were that there are no fatalities. Several customers with injuries were transported to area hospitals. Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted.”
Pearson CEO Deborah Flint confirmed there was “no loss of life,” though medical transport company Ornge reported that three people sustained critical injuries.
Passengers took to social media to share footage of the terrifying incident, including one video from inside the plane just moments after it flipped over.
Meanwhile, newly released air traffic control audio captured the tense aftermath. Shared by ABC News, the recording reveals the moment a controller alerted others to “a crash on runway two.”
“We’ve got an aircraft that is upside down and burning,” a voice confirms, while another notes that “people are outside walking around the aircraft.”
A recording obtained by LiveATC.net captured a conversation between air traffic control and the Delta Airlines pilots before the crash.
The controller instructed: “Endeavor Air 4819, turn right heading 210. Descend to 3,000. Cleared ILS 23 approach.”
A pilot responded: “Alright, heading 210. Down to 3,000. Cleared through the ILS, 23. Endeavor 4819.”
Shortly after, air traffic control warned of strong winds measuring 27 knots with gusts up to 33 knots, advising that while the plane was “cleared to land on Runway 23,” it “may get a slight bump due to the conditions and another aircraft ahead.
Moments later, an urgent transmission from the flight crew declared: “We need crash fire rescue on the runway.”
A voice then confirmed: “The plane has crashed,” prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Air traffic control reassured: “Yeah, we’re on it. We got someone coming out.”
#BreakingNews: This is air traffic control recordings of Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 which crashed and overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport today.
The Toronto Tower warned of high winds and a “slight bump” upon landing. pic.twitter.com/DHDeBi5IQN
— Gage Goulding – KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding) February 17, 2025
Thankfully, all 80 people on board were safely rescued from the aircraft.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the incident.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed: “The NTSB is leading a team of U.S. investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada with their investigation of today’s accident involving a Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ900 at Toronto Pearson International Airport.”
The FAA also noted that, in accordance with international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13, “any information about the investigation will be released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.”
