2025 Philadelphia Learjet Crash
Background
Aircraft
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement reported that a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance had recently departed from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport prior to the crash, en route to Springfield–Branson National Airport northwest of Springfield in Greene County, Missouri. The aircraft departed at 6:06 p.m.
Weather
Local meteorological data recorded by the National Weather Service indicated the presence of light rain, overcast and foggy conditions, and a 30 mph (48 km/h) wind gust recorded just prior to 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.
Passengers and crew
According to the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, six individuals were on board the Learjet 55. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Mexican medical transport company, stated that there were four crew, a pediatric patient, and their escort on board.
Accident
At approximately 6:22 p.m. EST on January 31, 2025, a small plane crashed in an area near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, with the aircraft and debris impacting several buildings in the area. The plane disappeared from radar and crashed about thirty 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 plane descended at a rate of around 11,000 feet per minute (3,400 m/min). A Ring doorbell camera filmed the plane "falling out of the sky" and producing a large explosion that produced heavy plumes of smoke. WTXF-TV coverage showed a large debris field and several active fires.
Several homes, Roosevelt Mall businesses, and vehicles were reportedly set on fire by the crash. Fires caused by the crash spread to nearby row homes. Multiple people on the ground were injured.
Victims
Ground
Six victims on the ground were hospitalized with varying levels of burn injuries. Three of the injured were treated and released. The injured included a person who was struck in the head by debris from the crash while eating inside of a diner.
Aftermath
The FAA ordered a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport
Investigation
The FAA has announced that it would investigate the crash, with the lead of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Responses
The Philadelphia Police Department initiated a citywide emergency response to stop the spread of fires caused by the crash. Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management instituted road closures in the vicinity of the crash site, and urged motorists to avoid the area.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation. 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.
See also
- 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision, an American air accident that occurred two days prior
- 2025 in aviation
References
- ^ Robles, Carlos (January 31, 2025). "Plane crashes in Philadelphia; homes and vehicles ignited in flames". BNO News. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Reports of small plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia". 6abc Philadelphia. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Federal Aviation Administration". www.faa.gov. Archived from the original on February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Romero, Dennis (February 1, 2025). "Plane crashes near mall in Philadelphia". NBC News. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Philadelphia plane crash: Small aircraft crashes in neighbourhood". www.bbc.com. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ MacAulay, Jessica; Payne, Ben (January 31, 2025). "Watch live coverage: Plane crash in Philadelphia leaves multiple houses on fire, causes explosion - CBS Philadelphia". CBS News. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Federal Aviation Administration". Federal Aviation Administration. Archived from the original on February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Keeley, Steve (January 31, 2025). "BULLETIN: SIX KILLED ON AIRPLANE THAT JUST TOOK OFF FROM NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT". WTXF-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Tragic Crash Of Mexican Air Ambulance Shakes Philadelphia". The Pinnacle Gazette. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Keeley, Steve (January 31, 2025). "Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company that owns jet that crashed in Philadelphia, confirms what Philly Police sources told me earlier, that SIX people were aboard the jet. "Four crew members, patient and escort."". WTXF-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Moran, Robert (January 31, 2025). "Plane crash reported in Northeast Philadelphia". Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Philly Plane Crash: All About The Learjet Aircraft That Crashed Near Roosevelt Mall". Times Now. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Brusch, Belinda (January 31, 2025). "Small plane crashes in Northeast Philadelphia". FOX 29 Philadelphia. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Oldcorn, Christopher (January 31, 2025). "BREAKING: Airplane crashes into houses, mall in Philadelphia". Western Standard. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Keely, Steve (January 31, 2025). "Debris flew through window of diner on Cottman Avenue and hit customer in the head as he ate dinner several booths from window". WTXF-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Small plane crashes near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia in fiery explosion". ABC News. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
