What happened
On 17 February 2025, a CRJ-900 operated by Delta Endeavor Air was arriving at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. During the landing phase, the aircraft struck the runway, leading to a significant impact. The force of the collision caused the separation of the tail section and a wing, which subsequently triggered a fire. The fuselage eventually came to a stop upside down, positioned slightly off the right side of the runway.
During the emergency, passengers and cabin crew utilized the right forward door and one of the right-side emergency windows to exit the aircraft. Because the cockpit door could not be used, the flight crew exited through the overhead emergency hatch. The accident resulted in 21 injuries, with several individuals requiring hospitalization.
The investigation
TSB investigators, working alongside the NTSB, FAA, and Transport Canada, moved the wreckage to a hangar at CYYZ for detailed study. Key components, including the landing gear, wing box structure, and the right wing, were transferred to the TSB’s Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa for specialized testing.
Investigators have performed a metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces on the landing gear and wing. The team has also downloaded and analyzed data from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and other onboard monitoring systems, comparing the accident flight data against recordings from previous flights of the same aircraft. To reconstruct the event, officials reviewed CCTV footage and NAV CANADA surveillance data to assess the approach, landing, and emergency response. Additionally, the investigation includes simulator exercises to evaluate approach speeds and thrust settings, as well as a global review of similar incidents involving other aircraft types.