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A tragic aviation incident unfolded in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening when a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance Learjet 55 crashed, resulting in six fatalities and injuring six people on the ground.
The Mexican-registered aircraft, identified by tail number XA-UCI, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport around 6 p.m. Within approximately one minute of departure, while at an altitude of 1,600 feet, the aircraft plummeted, crashing at the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Bustleton Avenue near Roosevelt Mall.
Medical transport jet was in the air for less than a minute before crash in Philadelphia: NTSB https://t.co/TlIDt5OIxV
— Will Smith (@scleaner77) February 1, 2025
The air ambulance was transporting a critically ill child back to Mexico following treatment at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The young patient was accompanied by her mother and four crew members, all Mexican citizens. According to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance officials, there were no survivors from the aircraft.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event – as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground – and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action,” stated a Shriner’s Children’s Hospital spokesperson.
The impact created a substantial crater in the Philadelphia street, with burning fuel and debris scattered across several blocks. One nearby residence caught fire, along with multiple vehicles in the vicinity. The intense explosion was captured by numerous security cameras and mobile devices.
Of the six individuals injured on the ground, three were discharged after treatment, while the remaining three are reported to be in stable condition. Fire departments from across Philadelphia responded to extinguish multiple fires caused by the spreading jet fuel, with one home sustaining severe damage. By morning, firefighters had contained all blazes.
“People kept trying to walk towards the smoke. There was black smoke. You could smell the jet fuel,” reported a local gas station employee to NBC10, describing the scene as reminiscent of a movie.
Air traffic control recordings revealed the pilot’s final communications. After receiving and acknowledging instructions for a heading of 290 degrees and a frequency change to Philadelphia Departure, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The controller was heard informing another aircraft, “I have a lost aircraft. We are not exactly sure what happened.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that FAA and National Transportation Safety Board investigators would be dispatched to the scene. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker urged residents to avoid the area and established shelters for displaced residents, while Governor Josh Shapiro pledged support for the affected community.
This incident marks the second major aviation accident this week, following Wednesday’s collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet at Reagan National Airport.