Claim: The image shows a Delta passenger jet lying upside down after it made a rough landing and crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada on 17 February.
Fact: While it is true that a Delta airplane turned upside down and crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada, the image in the claim is AI-generated.
On 18 February, X user posted a photo (archive) purportedly showing the Delta passenger jet lying upside down after it made a rough landing. The caption of the post reads: “TRUMP AIR DISASTER 8: US flight 4819 of Delta Airlines crash lands UPSIDE DOWN in Toronto marking the 8th plane crash in 20 days since Trump/Musk fired FAA/ATC staff #planecrash”
On 17 February, Delta Flight 4819, which was flying from Minneapolis, flipped on its roof after landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada. All 80 passengers onboard survived, and 21 were injured.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the plane to flip.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check investigated the image and found that it is AI-generated.
We first analysed the image in the claim and visually compared it with the actual photos and videos of the incident published by reputable news organisations. This led us to the conclusion that it was likely created using AI.
A New York Times article, featuring the video of the plane lying upside down on the tarmac. At the 00:23 mark, it is revealed that the back of the plane, including its tail, is not as elevated from the ground as the image from the claim suggests. The same can be observed in the images published by AP and Politico here and here, respectively. Further, the plane’s wheels from the image in the claim protrude from the rear. However, that’s not the case in the video by the NYT and in the aforementioned images.
Moreover, a “Grok” icon appears at the bottom right corner of the image. This confirms the image was likely created by X’s (formerly Twitter) AI model.
Soch Fact Check, therefore, concludes the image is not an authentic depiction of the Delta airplane crash, and is AI-generated.
Virality
It appeared on X here, here, here (1st image), here (3rd image), here (1st image), here (4th image), here (1st image), here.
Russia Today posted the AI-generated image on X here (archive).
The image appeared on Facebook here (archive), here, here, here, here (1st image).
On Instagram, here (archive), here (2nd image), and here (2nd image).
It was also shared on the website of different publications here, here, here, here, here, here, here.
Conclusion: The image purportedly showing Delta Flight 4819, which turned upside down and crashed at the Toronto Pearson Airport, is AI-generated.
Background image in cover photo: CNN
To appeal against our fact-check, please send an email to appeals@sochfactcheck.com