Six Feared Dead After Medical Jet Crashes In Northeast Philadelphia
Three Aviation Disasters In Just Days:
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Update (0850ET):
A Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed into a shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night, killing all on board. The impact triggered a massive fireball that set homes and vehicles ablaze.
The New York Times reported that the Learjet 55 had six people on board, all of whom perished upon impact:
The Learjet 55 was transporting a young female patient from Philadelphia, where she had completed treatment, to her home in Mexico, said Shai Gold, a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which owns the plane. She was accompanied by her mother, and there were also two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic on board, he added. The patient had been treated at Shriners Children’s in Philadelphia, said the hospital’s spokesman, Mel Bower. All six people on the plane were Mexican, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said.
The twin-engine jet departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed just minutes into the flight.
The cause of the mid-air incident remains unclear. Authorities are investigating what occurred in the skies over Philadelphia that led the pilots to become unresponsive with the Northeast Philadelphia Airport Tower before the aircraft entered a violent descent at 11,000 feet per minute, ultimately crashing into a city street.
Potential internal factors include an oxygen tank explosion or improper load balance. Externally, a loss of flight controls due to icing or a possible drone strike cannot be ruled out. However, these theories remain speculative, as authorities have yet to confirm any details while the investigation is ongoing.
Audio from Northeast Philadelphia Airport Tower could be heard: “We have a lost aircraft. We’re not exactly sure what happened, so we’re trying to figure it out.”
Philadelphia officials have yet to confirm any fatalities to passengers or bystanders who were on the ground.
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Dramatic footage has surfaced on X showing a Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, crashing in Northeast Philadelphia.
"This evening, a Learjet 55 (XA-UCI) crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight departed at 23:06 UTC, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,650 ft at 23:06:54. Granular ADS-B data shows the last message from the aircraft," flight tracking website Flightradar24 wrote on X.
This evening, a Learjet 55 (XA-UCI) crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight departed at 23:06 UTC, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,650 ft at 23:06:54. Granular ADS-B data shows the last message from the aircraft (non-position report)… pic.twitter.com/FtUBYTgeua
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 1, 2025
Northeast Philadelphia Airport Tower: "We have a lost aircraft."
🚨NEW: Audio released shows Air Traffic Control trying to reach the Learjet 55 before the Philadelphia crash
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 1, 2025
“We have a lost aircraft...”pic.twitter.com/1ATgAwoCaY
A whole bunch of videos from various angles showing the Learjet crash have been uploaded on X.
First hand video of what happened in northeast Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/LJt912Tw6l
— Darren Minto (@FB_Darren) February 1, 2025
🚨AIR AMBULANCE CRASHES IN PHILADELPHIA🚨
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) February 1, 2025
I have obtained the registration number of the plane that just crashed in Philadelphia from a screenshot of the engine nacelle in the wreckage.
It’s a medical air ambulance, and it’s owned and operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. It’s… https://t.co/usYVZQLlay pic.twitter.com/agXjALSNzV
NEW: Dashcam video shows the plane crash in Philadelphia.
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) February 1, 2025
At least 6 dead, multiple victims on the ground pic.twitter.com/PuPE6pgB8G
BREAKING: New video shows the plane crash in Pennsylvania. Reports of multiple victims pic.twitter.com/elKGRg3xik
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 31, 2025
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨Watch: Dramatic Footage Shows Private Jet Crashing In Northeast Philadelphia
— kevin smith (@kevin_smith45) February 1, 2025
Ring Doorbell Camera footage of the Philly plane crash…
This is wild pic.twitter.com/nUt4qyVlhe
CBS News Philadelphia reported that the crash occurred near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue.
Small Plane cash in Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/bV2n71Eck1
— Randy Jaquez (@RandyAJaquez) February 1, 2025
Several Philadelphia media outlets are reporting several dead.
🚨 VERY GRAPHIC: Man runs out of the Philadelphia plane crash site while on fire
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 1, 2025
Holy hell.
This jet crashed in a VERY high traffic area, and a massive explosion occurred.
Multiple casualties being reported of people on the ground. pic.twitter.com/cor6rPzywz
dis shit wild check on yall folks man 🤦🏽♂️ #philadelphia #planecrash pic.twitter.com/WKGimWPMw8
— gregswervvo (@swervvo9) February 1, 2025
"We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly," Governor Josh Shapiro wrote on X.
I’ve spoken with @PhillyMayor and my team is in communication with @PhillyPD, @PhilaOEM, and @PhillyFireDept. We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) February 1, 2025
We’ll continue to provide updates as more information…
What the hell is happening in American aviation this week:
Developing...