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Med Jets Flight 056

Coordinates: 40°2′47″N 75°3′27″W / 40.04639°N 75.05750°W / 40.04639; -75.05750
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Med Jets Flight 056
A CCTV still of a fireball rising from the crash site
Accident
DateJanuary 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)
SummaryCrashed shortly after takeoff, under investigation
SiteCastor Gardens, near Northeast Philadelphia Airport
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40°2′47″N 75°3′27″W / 40.04639°N 75.05750°W / 40.04639; -75.05750
Total fatalities7
Total injuries19+
Aircraft

XA-UCI, the aircraft involved in the accident, photographed in December 2024
Aircraft typeLearjet 55
OperatorMed Jets on behalf of Jet Rescue Air Ambulance[1]
ICAO flight No.MTS056
Call signMEDEVAC MED SERVICE 056
RegistrationXA-UCI
Flight originNortheast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
StopoverSpringfield–Branson National Airport, Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
DestinationTijuana International Airport, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Occupants6
Passengers4
Crew2
Fatalities6
Survivors0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities1
Ground injuries19+

Med Jets Flight 056 was a medevac flight from Northeast Philadelphia Airport to Tijuana International Airport, with a planned refueling stop at Springfield–Branson National Airport. On January 31, 2025, the Learjet 55 operated by Med Jets SA de CV on behalf of Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shortly after takeoff, killing all on board.[2][3]

Six people, including a young female patient and her mother, were on board.[4][5][6] The aircraft struck multiple buildings and vehicles during the incident, which caused a fire and explosions, killing one person on the ground.[4][7][8]

Background

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Aircraft

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The aircraft involved was a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance with registration number XA-UCI and AC Serial 55-032, manufactured in 1982.[9] According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft departed on runway 24 from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m., en route to Springfield–Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri.[5]

Weather

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Local meteorological data recorded by the National Weather Service indicated the presence of light rain, overcast and foggy conditions, and a 30 mph (50 km/h) wind gust recorded just prior to 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.[6] Visibility was estimated at 6 miles (10 km).[10]

Passengers and crew

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According to the FAA and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, six people were on board the Learjet 55.[5][6][11] Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Mexican medical transport company, stated that there were four crew, a pediatric patient, and her escort on board.[12] According to a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the female pediatric patient was being taken back to Mexico after finishing treatment at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia.[13][14] All six on board were from Mexico.[3]

Accident

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Map of the crash

At approximately 6:06 p.m. EST on January 31, 2025, the Learjet 55 crashed in an area near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, with the aircraft and debris impacting several buildings in the area.[4][15][16] The aircraft disappeared from radar seconds before crashing and went down about forty seconds after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia airport, less than 3 miles (4.8 km) away after climbing to 1,650 feet (500 m). The last received data from the aircraft shown by Flightradar24 reported the Learjet's altitude at 1,275 feet (389 m) and an increasing speed of 242 knots (448 km/h; 278 mph).[17][18] The aircraft descended at a rate of around 11,000 feet per minute (3,400 m/min).[18] A Ring doorbell camera filmed the airplane falling out of the sky, producing a large explosion with heavy plumes of smoke after hitting the ground. WTXF-TV coverage showed a large debris field and several active fires.[19]

One person on the ground, who was in a car, was killed.[20] Several homes, Roosevelt Mall-area businesses, and vehicles were set on fire by the crash.[13] More fires subsequently spread to nearby row homes. Nineteen people on the ground were injured.[13][21] Six victims on the ground were hospitalized with varying levels of burn injuries. Three of the injured were treated and released on the same day. The injured included a person who was struck in the head by debris from the crash while eating inside a diner.[13][17]

The crash was the second fatal accident involving Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. In 2023, a Learjet 35 operated by the company was involved in a runway excursion after landing at Cuernavaca Airport, Mexico, that killed all four people on board.[22]

Aftermath

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The FAA ordered a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport after the crash.[23] The Philadelphia Police Department initiated a citywide emergency response to stop the spread of fires caused by the crash.[21] Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management instituted road closures in the vicinity of the crash site and urged motorists to avoid the area.[13]

Investigation

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The FAA has announced that it would investigate the crash, with the lead of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB stated that an investigator had arrived on January 31 and more officials would arrive on February 1.[17]

Former NTSB investigator Alan Diehl said possible causes of the crash include the maintenance of the Learjet or the experience of the crew.[24]

Responses

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President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation. Commenting on Truth Social, he described the incident as a tragic loss of "innocent souls" and commending the efforts of first responders. Trump stated, "Our people are totally engaged", and added, "God Bless you all."[25]

Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro and his office coordinated with Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker, the Office of Emergency Management, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Philadelphia Fire Department regarding response efforts, and said that all state resources were available for assistance.[25]

Councilor Mike Driscoll of the 6th District of the Philadelphia City Council and chair of the Transportation and Utilities Committee described the situation as an active emergency response with reported mass casualties. He urged the public to avoid the area and highlighted the focus on supporting first responders and affected families.[13][25]

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the crash fatalities and ordered the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to provide assistance to their families.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Robles, Carlos (January 31, 2025). "Plane crashes in Philadelphia; homes and vehicles ignited in flames". BNO News. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  2. ^ Conde, Ximena (February 1, 2025). "Six Mexican nationals dead in Philly plane crash, President Sheinbaum confirms". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Plane with 6 aboard crashes in Philadelphia, setting homes ablaze". NPR. Associated Press. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Reports of small plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia". WPVI-TV. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents". FAA. Archived from the original on February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Romero, Dennis (February 1, 2025). "Plane crashes near mall in Philadelphia". NBC News. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. ^ "Philadelphia plane crash: Small aircraft crashes in neighbourhood". BBC News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  8. ^ Sanders, Hank; Vigdor, Neil; Yoon, John; Bonamo, Mark (February 1, 2025). "6 Feared Dead After Medical Plane Crashes Near Philadelphia Mall". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Aircraft Learjet 55 XA-UCI , manufactured in 1982, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, available for rent from JETVIP". jetvip.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  10. ^ "Deadly medical jet crash in Philly: What we know about the flight, aircraft". WCAU. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  11. ^ Keeley, Steve [@KeeleyFox29] (January 31, 2025). "BULLETIN: SIX KILLED ON AIRPLANE THAT JUST TOOK OFF FROM NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT" (Tweet). Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Tragic Crash Of Mexican Air Ambulance Shakes Philadelphia". The Pinnacle Gazette. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f MacAulay, Jessica; Payne, Ben (January 31, 2025). "Watch live coverage: Plane crash in Philadelphia leaves multiple houses on fire, causes explosion – CBS Philadelphia". KYW-TV. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  14. ^ "Mother and child among seven killed in Philadelphia medical jet crash". BBC. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Moran, Robert (January 31, 2025). "Plane crash reported in Northeast Philadelphia". Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  16. ^ "Philly Plane Crash: All About The Learjet Aircraft That Crashed Near Roosevelt Mall". Times Now. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c "Plane with at least 2 aboard crashes in Philadelphia, setting homes ablaze and unleashing a fireball". AP News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Faheid, Dalia; Morales, Mark; Freeman, Danny; Romine, Taylor; Muntean, Pete; Cooper, Aaron; Tucker, Emma (February 1, 2025). "Private business jet crashes in northeast Philadelphia neighborhood". CNN. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  19. ^ Brusch, Belinda (January 31, 2025). "Small plane crashes in Northeast Philadelphia". WTXF-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  20. ^ "Officials: Seven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance crash in Philadelphia". AP News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Oldcorn, Christopher (January 31, 2025). "BREAKING: Airplane crashes into houses, mall in Philadelphia". Western Standard. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  22. ^ "Crash of a Learjet 35A in Cuernavaca: 4 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  23. ^ "Small plane crashes near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia in fiery explosion". ABC News. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  24. ^ "Expert questions medical jet's maintenance after Philly crash". Fox News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c MacAulay, Jessica; Sinclair, Frederick; Newbill, Taleisha; Payne, Ben (February 1, 2025). "Small plane carrying 6 crashes in Philadelphia neighborhood, several homes catch fire – CBS Philadelphia". KYW-TV. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  26. ^ "Mexico's president says all 6 people on medical transport jet were killed". AP News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
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