A passenger on board Delta Flight 4819 has recalled the terrifying moments after the plane crashed.
As previously reported by us, the flight, operated by regional subsidiary Endeavor Air, from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport crashed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport at around 2:45 p.m. local time on Monday, Feb. 17.
Peter Koukov was among the 76 passengers who were able to safely exit the plane as a fire broke out when it hit the runway, according to CNN. He told the outlet that he “didn’t know anything was the matter” until it felt as though the plane turned sideways.
Koukov said when the aircraft came to a standstill, “we were upside down hanging like bats.” He added that while he was able to stand upright after unbuckling himself, he said other passengers needed help getting down from their seats.
Emergency responders at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
EDUARDO LIMA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
According to a statement Delta shared on X, there were four crew members also onboard the flight, and all 80 people survived the crash.
The airline hasn’t yet shared details of what caused the accident but said “Initial reports indicate there are no fatalities and 18 customers with injuries have been transported to area hospitals. Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted.”
“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 the post. “I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site.”
Delta Flight 4819.
Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty
Footage Koukov shared on Instagram of the moment he escaped the aircraft has gone viral with almost 4 million likes.
A flight attendant is seen helping him and other passengers out of the upside down plane on the icy runway as firefighters race to spray white fire retardant. People were urged to leave their belongings behind but in the footage, though a few could be seen carrying bags and neck pillows.
“Being alive feels pretty cool today,” Koukov captioned his video.
Toronto’s Pearson International Airport announced via Instagram that departures and arrivals resumed at 5 p.m. local time following the crash and “GTAA staff are supporting the families of passengers at arrivals.”
Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, confirmed that the two runways directly impacted by the crash will remain closed for several days as the situation is investigated, per CNN.
