Philadelphia Medical Plane Crash Kills at Least 7, Injures 19/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A medical plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six onboard and one person on the ground, with 19 others injured. The air ambulance, operated by Jet Rescue, was transporting a child back to Mexico after treatment. Authorities, including the NTSB, are investigating the cause of the crash.
Philadelphia Medical Plane Crash: Quick Looks
- A Learjet 55 air ambulance crashed in Philadelphia, killing seven people.
- The jet was transporting a child and her mother back to Mexico.
- Nineteen people on the ground sustained injuries, with six hospitalized.
- The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood.
- The jet disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the deaths of the six Mexican nationals onboard.
- The NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.
- This is the second fatal Jet Rescue crash in 15 months.
Philadelphia Medical Plane Crash Kills at Least 7, Injures 19
Philadelphia Plane Crash: Deep Look
A devastating plane crash shook a Philadelphia neighborhood Friday night when a medical transport jet crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all six passengers and crew onboard and one person on the ground. Nineteen others suffered injuries in the disaster, which occurred near Roosevelt Mall in the city’s Rhawnhurst area.
Crash Details & Casualties
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, had just taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m. when it lost altitude and plummeted into a busy intersection. According to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, all six people onboard—including a child who had received treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia—died in the crash. The child’s mother and four crew members were also killed.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that one person on the ground lost their life, while 19 others were injured. Six people were hospitalized, though three have since been released.
Eyewitness Accounts & Video Footage
The horrifying incident was caught on a doorbell camera, showing the jet in freefall before exploding upon impact. Nearby residents described hearing a loud roar followed by an earth-shaking explosion.
“All we heard was a loud roar, and then we saw the big plume,” said local resident Jim Quinn, whose security camera captured the crash.
Another witness, Michael Schiavone, said he initially thought his neighborhood was “under attack” due to the explosion’s intensity.
Aircraft & Operator Background
The aircraft, a Learjet 55, was registered in Mexico and operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a company specializing in medical flights. The doomed flight was transporting the child and her mother back to Mexico, with a stopover planned in Missouri before heading to Tijuana.
Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold expressed shock over the accident, stating that the aircraft underwent rigorous maintenance. “Not a penny is spared because we know our mission is critical,” he told reporters.
This marks Jet Rescue’s second fatal accident in 15 months. In 2023, another of its planes crashed in Mexico, killing five crew members.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. Live air traffic control audio recorded just before the crash captured an air traffic controller attempting to contact the aircraft multiple times before losing communication.
The jet reached an altitude of 1,600 feet before it vanished from radar, according to flight tracking data. Officials are now examining possible causes, including mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather conditions.
Connections to Other Aviation Disasters
The Philadelphia crash occurred just two days after the deadliest U.S. air disaster in decades. On Wednesday night, an American Airlines jet collided midair with an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., killing all aboard.
Philadelphia’s plane crash also bears eerie similarities to Jet Rescue’s 2023 accident, raising concerns about the company’s safety record.
What’s Next?
Authorities have closed off the crash site as investigators analyze debris and flight data. The NTSB is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days. Meanwhile, Mexican consular officials are working with families of the victims.
As Philadelphia mourns the victims, aviation safety experts are calling for increased scrutiny of medical transport flights to prevent future tragedies.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.