Medical Transport Jet Crashes in Philadelphia Minutes After Takeoff: NTSB Report
Tragic Incident Near Philadelphia Mall
A small medical transport jet, carrying a child, her mother, and four crew members, crashed in a fiery “high-impact” accident near a busy Philadelphia mall just moments after takeoff on Friday evening.
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m., climbing to approximately 1,500 feet before rapidly descending. Less than a minute after takeoff, the jet crashed, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Bill Hicks.
Casualties and Injuries
- All six people aboard—including the child, her mother, and four crew members—died in the crash.
- The child had just received care at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia and was being transported home.
- All victims on board were Mexican citizens, according to the Mexican government.
- One person in a vehicle on the ground also died.
- At least 19 others—including bystanders in parking lots, cars, and nearby homes—were injured.
No Distress Call Before Crash
Investigators revealed that there was no indication of a problem radioed from the flight deck to Air Traffic Control before the crash.
“In fact, in the recording that we have, there is an attempt by air traffic controllers to get a response from the flight crew, but they didn’t receive one,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.
Debris and Damage Spread Across City Blocks
- The “high-impact” crash left debris scattered across four to five city blocks.
- Investigators have yet to recover the jet’s black box, which may be damaged or destroyed.
- At least five homes caught fire in the aftermath, Philadelphia officials reported.
Residents and business owners who come across aircraft debris are urged to email the NTSB at [email protected] or call 911.
Investigation Underway
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched investigations.
The NTSB chair stated that the investigation will take several days or even weeks to collect and analyze all debris.
Another Aviation Disaster Days Earlier
This tragedy comes just two days after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities.
Despite the back-to-back aviation disasters, Homendy assured the public that her agency is well-equipped to handle both investigations simultaneously.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Speaks Out
In a statement on social media platform X, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the recent crashes a “heart-wrenching week.”
“We’re not going to have answers right away,” he said. “It’s going to take time. But as I get those answers, I’m going to share them with all of you.”
