Tragedy in Philadelphia: MedevacLearjet 55 Crashes Shortly After Takeoff Killing Six
On January 31, 2025, a tragic accident occurred involving a Learjet 55 air ambulance operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. The aircraft departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, carrying six individuals: four crew members, a young female patient, and her mother. The patient had recently undergone life-saving treatment in Philadelphia and was being transported back to Mexico.
Shortly after takeoff, the jet encountered difficulties and disappeared from radar. Within about 30 seconds, it crashed near the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, close to Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia. The impact resulted in a massive explosion, igniting multiple homes and vehicles in the vicinity. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to manage the ensuing fires and assist victims.
All six individuals on board are feared to have perished in the crash. Additionally, several people on the ground sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. The exact number of ground casualties has not been confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 1,650 feet before descending rapidly. Weather conditions at the time included light rain and fog, which may have contributed to the incident.
This tragedy marks the second fatal crash involving Jet Rescue Air Ambulance in 15 months. In 2023, another aircraft operated by the company overran a runway in Mexico, resulting in the deaths of five crew members.
Timeline of the Medevac Learjet 55 Crash:
January 31, 2025
- 7:40 PM ET: A Learjet 55 air ambulance operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance departs from Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE). The aircraft is transporting a young female patient and her mother back to Mexico after the child received life-saving medical treatment in Philadelphia.
- 7:41 PM ET Shortly after takeoff, the jet experiences difficulties and disappears from radar. Witnesses report seeing the aircraft descending rapidly.
- 7:42 PM ET Crash occurs near Roosevelt Mall, just 30 seconds after takeoff. The aircraft strikes multiple homes and vehicles, igniting a massive fireball.
Emergency response initiated: First responders, including the Philadelphia Fire Department and local law enforcement, rush to the scene. Multiple homes are on fire, and some civilians on the ground suffer injuries.
- Six people on the ground were injured in the crash and transported to Temple University Hospital’s Jeanes Campus. According to a source who spoke with NBC10, three of the victims were treated and released, while the remaining three are still hospitalized. Officials have not yet disclosed their conditions.
- Among the injured are an 11-year-old boy who sustained head injuries, a 31-year-old man also suffering from head injuries, and a 30-year-old woman who sustained facial injuries.
Authorities confirmed casualties: All six people on board four crew members, the young patient, and her mother are feared dead.
February 1, 2025
FAA and NTSB launch investigations: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) begin their probe into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that weather conditions (light rain and fog) may have played a role.
Residents evacuated: Due to the hazardous debris and ongoing fires, authorities urge residents to stay away from the crash site.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance under scrutiny: Reports emerge that this is the second fatal crash involving Jet Rescue Air Ambulance in 15 months. In 2023, another aircraft operated by the company overran a runway in Mexico, killing five crew members.
Shreiner Hospital issued a statement: Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia has confirmed that the young girl who tragically lost her life in the recent Medevac crash was one of their pediatric patients. A Mexican national, she was being transported home on an angel flight an air ambulance mission providing medical care to those who might not otherwise have access to it.
Shriners Children’s is heartbroken to confirm that one of our pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia this evening. The patient had received care at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico when the accident occurred. Due to patient privacy concerns, we cannot share further details about the patient or her family at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the medical crew and pilots who also lost their lives, as well as all those affected on the ground. We are grateful to the first responders for their swift actions during this devastating event.
Ongoing Investigation
- Black box recovery efforts: Investigators are working to locate the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to determine the cause of the crash.
- Eyewitness accounts analyzed: Witness reports and air traffic control communications are being reviewed to piece together the final moments of the flight.
Key Moments in the Flight Communication Timeline:
The exchange highlights the final moments of communication between air traffic control and the Medevac Med Service 056 flight before it tragically crashed. The flight initially departed safely, climbing to approximately 1,600 feet, but soon after, radio contact was lost.
- Departure Clearance & Initial Contact: The air traffic controller instructs the flight to switch to Philly Departure on frequency 123.8.
- The pilot acknowledges: 123.8 (inaudible) 056 medevac. Thank you. Good day.
- Loss of Contact: Shortly after takeoff, the plane stops responding to repeated calls from air traffic control. The last recorded altitude before losing contact was around 1,600 feet.
- Declaration of a Lost Aircraft: Realizing that the aircraft is no longer responding, the air traffic controller refers to it as a lost aircraft.
- A controller broadcasts: This is 765. We have a lost aircraft. We are not exactly sure what happened so we are trying to figure it out.
- Airport Lockdown: As a precautionary measure, all inbound and outbound flights at Northeast Philadelphia Airport are grounded until further information is available.
The situation is now under investigation as emergency responders search for wreckage and survivors. This remains a developing story as authorities continue their investigation.
Shreiner’s Hospital Statement:
February 2, 2025
Cockpit Voice Recorder: The NTSB has recovered the cockpit voice recorder of the Learjet that crashed in Philadelphia. It was located at the site of the initial impact 8 feet into the ground.
Victims Identified: Philadelphia plane crash victims identified by medical jet company:
- Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales
- Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez
- Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo
- Rodrigo Lopez Padilla
- Valentina Guzman Murillo
- Lizeth Murillo Ozuna
Jet Air Ambulance announced that Valentina Guzman Murillo was the young patient receiving treatment in Philadelphia, and was accompanied by her mother Lizeth.
Injuries: Five people who were injured in Friday’s plane crash in Philadelphia remained in hospital Sunday, and three of them are in critical condition.
- Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a briefing that 22 people are known to have been injured in Friday’s crash, which killed all six people on board the plane, as well as one person on the ground. Parker said five of those injured remain in hospital, including a 10-year-old boy who was struck in the head by a piece of metal while sitting in a car with his family.