PHILADELPHIA — On Saturday, investigators were seen meticulously examining the wreckage of burned vehicles, damaged homes, and the remnants of charred debris in an effort to uncover the reasons behind the catastrophic explosion of an air ambulance, which tragically ended with seven fatalities, all of whom were aboard the plane.
The small aircraft, which had six individuals on board, including a child who had just received treatment at a hospital, crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Eyewitnesses described the scene as a tremendous fireball erupting amidst a bustling street, resulting in burning homes, damaged businesses, and wrecked vehicles.
Authorities were unable to provide immediate answers as to why the aircraft went down. Adam Thiel, the city’s managing director, mentioned that it could take an extended period before a complete assessment of casualties and injuries across a wide area could be determined. Currently, the confirmed figures stand at seven deceased — six from the aircraft and one individual on the ground. Additionally, 19 others sustained injuries during the incident that occurred around 6 p.m. on a busy Friday evening.
Witness Selkuc Koc, a waiter at a nearby diner, recalled hearing a loud explosion, initially mistaking it for thunder, but when he looked out, he saw thick smoke and fire that resembled a gas station explosion. Hospital representatives reported that most of the individuals treated for injuries were released by midday on Saturday, although at least three remained hospitalized. One diner patron was injured by a heavy metal object propelled through the window during the crash.
The impact site spanned at least four to six city blocks, with teams assessing the damage from house to house. Thiel indicated that casualty numbers could fluctuate, as several details were still unclear regarding the people present in the vicinity during the crash. It is known that the aircraft was transporting a child, one of her parents, and four crew members from Mexico, all victims of the tragic incident.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on social media, confirming that all the victims were from Mexico and announcing that authorities were in touch with the families to offer support. She urged the Foreign Affairs Secretary to assist as needed. Among the injured from the crash, only one on-site casualty was reported, whereas 19 others were injured, including a person in a nearby vehicle.
The flight, which originated from Missouri, was destined for Tijuana. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, operating the Learjet 55, is based in Mexico and manages operations in both Mexico and the United States. Spokesperson Shai Gold assured that the plane was operated by a highly trained crew dedicated to maintenance and safety.
This tragic event follows closely on the heels of another significant aerial accident, just two days earlier, in which an American Airlines flight collided midair with a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., resulting in no survivors. In a more extended context of safety concerns, Jet Rescue experienced another fatal incident 15 months prior, when five crew members perished after their aircraft went off the runway in Mexico.
A doorbell camera captured the horrific moment of the aircraft descending in a streak before exploding upon impact near a shopping center and major roadway. Local Jim Quinn, who owned the camera, described hearing just a loud roar before seeing the large plume of smoke.
The Learjet had taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, located fewer than three miles away from the crash site, when it inexplicably vanished from radar shortly after reaching an altitude of 1,600 feet. Initial communications revealed that air traffic control had lost contact with the jet shortly after takeoff.
Witness Michael Schiavone shared his shocked reaction to the explosion, indicating that it felt like an attack given the severity of the blast. Jet Rescue’s reputation includes high-profile missions, such as transporting former baseball star David Ortiz to Boston after a shooting incident in 2019, as well as delivering critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash, with an investigator arriving shortly after the incident to begin assessing the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
