North America's deadliest month in plane crashes: 4 collisions, nearly 100 dead – The shocking truth behind each tragedy

Passenger Plane Flips During Landing in Toronto

On February 13, a Delta Airlines flight arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport from Minneapolis encountered a terrifying landing incident. The Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR flipped over on the snowy tarmac, injuring at least 17 passengers. The airport confirmed that all 80 passengers and crew were accounted for, with one child being airlifted to Toronto's SickKids hospital and two adults in critical condition. Blowing snow and gusty winds were reported at the time, and investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are leading the investigation.

Commuter Plane Crashes in Alaska, Killing All 10 Aboard

A tragic crash on February 6 claimed the lives of 10 people aboard a small commuter plane traveling to Nome, Alaska. The Bering Air single-engine turboprop Cessna Caravan went missing after taking off from Unalakleet, and its wreckage was discovered the following day on the sea ice. The victims included two men on a work trip, a retired teacher, and others traveling for medical appointments. The weather conditions included light snow and fog, and the crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Air Ambulance Crashes Onto Busy Philadelphia Street, Killing Seven

On January 31, a Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, tragically crashed just moments after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The jet, carrying a child patient and five others, plummeted into a residential area, igniting a fireball that engulfed several homes. All seven people aboard, including the child and mother, were killed, and 19 others on the ground were injured. The plane was en route to Mexico, and the crash remains under investigation by the NTSB.

Helicopter and Plane Collide Near Washington, Killing 67

The deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001 occurred on January 29 when a midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. The regional jet was preparing to land at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport when the helicopter collided with it, sending both aircrafts into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The crash killed 64 passengers and four crew members aboard the jet, as well as three soldiers on the helicopter. Among the victims were members of the Skating Club of Boston, families returning from Kansas, and several students and parents from Fairfax County, Virginia.

These tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the risks involved in air travel, and the toll they have taken on the families and communities affected. The aviation industry and authorities are working to understand the causes and prevent future disasters, but for now, the victims of these crashes are remembered, and their stories continue to break the hearts of those who knew them.