On Friday evening, a Learjet 55 air ambulance, registered in Mexico, crashed in a residential neighborhood near Northeast Philadelphia Airport. All six people on board died. The aircraft was on a medical transport mission, returning a young girl who had undergone life-saving treatment in the U.S. back to Tijuana, Mexico. She was accompanied by her mother, a doctor, a paramedic, the pilot, and the co-pilot.
The jet departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport about 6:30 p.m. local time, headed for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. It crashed near the Roosevelt Mall in a crowded part of Philadelphia, less than four miles from the airport.
The impact ignited a huge explosion, engulfing several homes and vehicles in flames. Emergency crews were on the scene within minutes, but the scene was described as chaotic with burning debris on streets and buildings on fire.
Audio recordings from the air traffic control tower revealed that the pilot reported problems shortly after takeoff. Communication was lost shortly thereafter, leading aviation experts to speculate that a takeoff stall—potentially caused by mechanical failure or a sudden load shift—could have contributed to the crash.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company operating the aircraft, said that the crew was well-experienced and had undergone rigorous training. The company expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the victims' families. This marks the second fatal crash involving Jet Rescue Air Ambulance in just 15 months.
At least 6 people were killed in the plane crash, including 2 pilots, 2 doctors, a patient, and a family member of the patient.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have opened an investigation into the accident. The authorities have warned people to steer clear of the area and report any debris to emergency services, cautioning them not to touch or move any wreckage.
Within two days of that incident, a fatal collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., took all 67 people aboard to their deaths. Now these two incidents have led the world to its attention on the safety of aviation and to sound calls for strict investigations so that never again any such disaster can take place.
References
The Times UK. "Philadelphia Plane Crash: Homes on Fire and Multiple Injuries Reported." The Times, January 31, 2025. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/philadelphia-plane-crash-homes-on-fire-and-multiple-injuries-reported-rs3q3tqml.
Associated Press. "Medical Jet Crashes Near Philadelphia, Killing All 6 on Board." AP News, January 31, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/8617dab53471190832dd73db149489fa.
New York Post. "Philadelphia Plane Crash: Air Traffic Control Audio Reveals Final Moments of Flight Tragedy." New York Post, February 1, 2025. https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/us-news/philadelphia-plane-crash-air-traffic-control-audio-reveals-final-moments-of-flight-tragedy.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Pragati Sakhuja/MSM)