Toronto Air Crash: Passengers Recount Dramatic Escape from Overturned Jet

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash, as shared during a news conference on Tuesday. The jet, identified as a Mitsubishi CRJ-900 manufactured by Bombardier, experienced a hard landing that resulted in the loss of its right wing before bursting into flames and coming to a halt upside down on the runway.

Despite the severity of the crash, most passengers escaped with minor injuries, according to airport CEO Deborah Flint. Out of the 80 people on board, which included 22 Canadians, all but two have been released from medical care.

The incident significantly disrupted airport operations, with runway activities resuming only at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday. Flint mentioned that the airport's emergency operations center remains active, and efforts are ongoing to manage delayed flights and restore full functionality. Currently, the airport's longest runways are out of service as the investigation continues.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, along with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and representatives from Mitsubishi and Delta Airlines, are collaborating on the investigation. The focus is on examining the aircraft's configuration and the circumstances leading to the crash. The team expects to spend the next 48 hours reviewing the scene and removing the aircraft from the runway.

Survivors of the harrowing ordeal have shared their experiences. Passenger John Nelson recounted to CNN, "There was like a big fireball out the left side of the plane, and when we got finished, I was upside down." Passengers were seen evacuating the overturned aircraft, some still carrying their belongings amidst the chaos.

Peter Koukov, another survivor, told CNN that he didn't realize anything was wrong until the plane hit the ground. "We were upside down hanging like bats," he described, noting that he managed to unbuckle himself and stand upright on what was now the ceiling of the plane.

Peter Carlson, a paramedic traveling to Toronto for a conference, described the landing as "very forceful." He recounted, "All of a sudden everything just kind of went sideways, and the next thing I know, I'm upside down still strapped in." Carlson assisted others in evacuating, including helping a mother and her young son out of the plane.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were challenging, with blowing snow and winds gusting up to 40 mph, according to the Meteorological Service of Canada. Communications between the control tower and the pilot were reportedly normal during the approach, leaving investigators puzzled about what went wrong during the landing.

A video captured from another aircraft on the runway showed the moment of impact, with flames and black smoke billowing from the crashed jet. Footage posted on social media depicted the aftermath, with firefighters working to extinguish the flames as passengers evacuated the scene.

This incident marks the fourth major aviation accident in North America in the past three weeks, highlighting concerns over recent aviation safety trends.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are committed to uncovering the root cause of the crash to prevent similar incidents in the future. The aviation community awaits the findings, hoping for insights that will enhance safety measures and protocols.