Picture credits: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Philadelphia: A medical transport Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Friday. The aircraft, registered as XA-UCI, was en route to Tijuana International Airport in Mexico, with a planned stop at Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
The jet was carrying four crew members, a young female patient, and her mother when it crashed near Roosevelt Mall at approximately 6:25 p.m. EST. The impact ignited homes, businesses, and vehicles, leading to a massive explosion that injured multiple people on the ground. At least six individuals were hospitalized with burns; three have since been released.
The young girl on board had recently undergone life-saving treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and was returning home to Tijuana with her mother.
In an official statement, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance confirmed the incident:
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified,” said Shai Gold, a spokesperson for the company. “Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker provided an update at a news conference at 8:30 p.m., confirming the aircraft’s devastating impact.
“What we know for certain right now – an aircraft went down in the vicinity of Roosevelt Mall on Cottman Avenue. This occurred shortly after 6 p.m.,” Parker stated.
Picture credits: X (@tayjoness)
Debris, including a medical oxygen tank, was scattered across the crash site.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Weather conditions at the time included light rain, overcast skies, fog, and wind gusts of up to 30 mph, which may have contributed to the accident.
Audio recordings from air traffic control reveal that officials cleared the medical jet for takeoff but lost contact with the flight moments before the crash. In the recordings, controllers can be heard giving the plane approval to depart, followed by an unsuccessful attempt to re-establish communication after takeoff.
Several witnesses recounted the terrifying moment the jet fell into the neighborhood.
🚨#BREAKING: New Dashcam video footage has emerged after Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, crashed killing multiple passengers ⁰
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 1, 2025
📌#Philadelphia | #PA ⁰⁰Watch as new dashcam video captures a massive explosion following a Learjet 55 crash in Northeast… pic.twitter.com/PriNXfy5tz
“It was just horrific. I was driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s, and I saw a plane basically hit the building and explode” said one bystander. “The sky lit up, and I pulled over. It was just real bad around here.”
Another witness described hearing an explosion before seeing flames and smoke billowing from the crash site.
“Common sense told me that I should not get close to it” he recalled.
A spokesperson for Shriners Children’s Hospital expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family and all those affected by this devastating event.”
This incident comes just after a tragic crash in Washington, where a collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter claimed the lives of all 67 people on board
As emergency crews continue their recovery efforts, authorities have yet to officially confirm fatalities, but fears persist that all six individuals on board have perished.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for more updates.
