A mid-size air ambulance plane carrying a sick child and five others crashed on Friday night shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, plowing into a residential area and setting off at least six house fires.
The crash occurred in the Northeast part of the city around 6:10 p.m, a city statement read. A mother, daughter and four crew members were all killed as they road on the medical jet. Another person who was inside a car near the crash also died, Mayor Cherelle Parker said Sunday.
Nineteen people were also injured.
On Saturday night the six people on board – all Mexican nationals – were identified. The young girl was named as Valentina Guzman Murillo, and had been traveling with her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna.
The plane was piloted by Captain Alan Montoya Perales, along with his copilot Josue Juarez. Also onboard was Dr Raul Meza Arredon, and Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, a paramedic.
The Learjet 55 aircraft was operated by Mexico-based air ambulance company Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. It had ascended to 16,000 feet when it suddenly fell.
President Donald Trump wrote on social media that it was “so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
Full story: Pediatric patient and her mother among the seven killed in fiery Philadelphia plane crash
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later confirmed that all six people onboard the flight, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, were Mexican citizens. The seventh person killed was on the ground.
Mike Bedigan2 February 2025 21:30
Philadelphia plane crash: What we know so far as Learjet air ambulance comes down in huge explosion near mall
Mike Bedigan, Namita Singh2 February 2025 20:30
Philadelphia residents react to crash
Philadelphia residents are shaken up after the fatal crash of a Learjet 55 on Friday evening.
A resident named Lena told Fox29 the sound “was terrible.”
“In my life I never heard this kind of sound,” Lena told the outlet. “My ears are still buzzing. I was driving five minutes before. I could’ve been here if I had been driving.”
Another resident, Angelique, said the crash happened on her niece’s daily route to and from work.
“Just imagine, she got off late yesterday,” Angelique told Fox29. “If she hadn’t got off late yesterday, she could’ve been in this.”
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 19:30
Watch: Philadelphia plane crash caught on Ring video
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 18:30
ICYMI: Authorities identify six people on board jet
Authorities have identified all six people who were on board the Learjet 55 that crashed on Friday evening in Philadelphia less than a minute after taking off.
Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales and Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez were flying the aircraft, which was transporting the young patient Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother Lizeth Murillo Ozuna to Tijuana.
Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla were also on board to care for Valentina, who had just completed life-saving treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital.
“It’s extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today,” hospital spokesperson Mel Bower said in a statement.
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 17:30
Aerial footage shows gaping crater and debris scattered across street
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 16:30
Investigators continue search for black box
Investigators are still searching for the black box from the Learjet 55 that crashed on Friday evening less than a minute after taking off.
“It could be intact,” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said. “But likely it is damaged. It may be fragmented.”
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 15:30
Resources for Philadelphia residents, crash witnesses
According to Fox29, those who need help in the wake of the deadly crash can contact the Red Cross’s free, 24/7, multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Mental health services are also available through Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services. Call (215) 685-6440 or visit DBHIDS.org.
The Disaster Distress (DDH) Helpline is also available: 1-800-985-5990.
Residents should not touch any debris they find, Fox 29 reports. To report debris, contact the National Transportation Safety Board at: witness@ntsb.gov.
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 14:44
Nearby hospital provides update on injured victims
Fifteen of the 19 people injured in the crash are being treated at Philadelphia’s Jefferson Health, Fox 29 reports.
Twelve of them have been discharged, two were admitted for further care and one has been transferred to another hospital, a spokesperson for Jefferson Health said Sunday.
Katie Hawkinson2 February 2025 14:30
People could have evidence from crash on their cars
Mayor Cherelle Parker wants city residents in the neighborhood where the crash occurred to check their cars for evidence.
The collection of evidence is essential to figuring out what happened, Parker said.
“If that’s you, don’t touch it. Just call 911 immediately,” Parker said.
The debris field is roughly four to six blocks and there is an additional remote area where “something” happened with the aircraft, the city’s Managing Director Adam Thiel said.
Thiel wouldn’t expand on his remark but said the National Transportation Safety Board would address it later.
Michelle Del Rey2 February 2025 14:00
