On February 17, 2025, Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping upside down upon impact. All 80 individuals on board—76 passengers and 4 crew members—survived, though 21 sustained injuries, including three critical cases.
Amidst the chaos, passenger and professional skier Pete Koukov documented the scene from inside the cabin. His footage, later shared on social media, reveals passengers hanging upside down, restrained by seatbelts, with personal items scattered throughout the cabin. Despite flight attendants’ instructions to cease recording, Koukov continued filming, capturing the evacuation process and the aircraft’s damaged interior and exterior.
Koukov explained that his instinct to film stemmed from his experience in street skiing, where capturing footage in challenging conditions is routine. He expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal and emphasized the importance of documenting such events.
The crash occurred during landing in snowy and windy conditions, with gusts up to 40 mph. Investigations suggest that the aircraft’s hard landing caused the right wing to shear off, leading to a fire and the plane overturning. Authorities are examining factors such as weather conditions, pilot actions, and potential mechanical issues.
Despite the severity of the crash, the absence of fatalities has been attributed to the aircraft’s structural integrity and the prompt response of the flight crew and emergency services. All injured passengers were discharged from hospitals within four days.
Koukov’s video has garnered widespread attention, highlighting the harrowing experience of those on board and the remarkable outcome of the incident.