PHILADELPHIA — Following a tragic plane crash in a bustling neighborhood of Philadelphia that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, three of whom were on the ground, remain in critical condition, as reported by Mayor Cherelle Parker on Sunday. The incident also left 22 others with injuries, five of which required hospitalization. Numerous properties, including at least 11 homes and some businesses, sustained considerable damage during the accident which occurred when a Mexico-bound air ambulance went down just after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
In her remarks, Mayor Parker expressed her condolences, stating, “Our city continues to mourn their loss and they are in our thoughts and prayers.” The air ambulance, carrying six people, was reportedly beginning its flight less than one minute into takeoff when it tragically crashed, impacting the lives of many, including a girl who had recently completed treatment at a local hospital for a serious medical condition.
One victim was inside a car when debris from the Learjet 55 struck the neighborhood, exacerbating the chaos and property damage. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing, with authorities visiting homes to gather eyewitness accounts about the events that transpired. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have confirmed the recovery of the jet’s cockpit voice recorder and its ground proximity warning system from the crash site, which was found at a depth of approximately eight feet.
The timing of this incident follows closely another significant air disaster, when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter in Washington D.C., leaving no survivors among the passengers or crew. As a precaution, a major roadway near where the Philadelphia crash happened remained blocked but is expected to reopen by Monday morning’s rush hour.
The area where the crash occurred, Castor Gardens—a densely populated, working-class neighborhood—was described by state Rep. Jared Solomon as a community filled with individuals who are eager to assist one another, including nurses, construction workers, and emergency responders. He observed that, during this difficult time, the community is coming together to provide support to those affected.
The ill-fated flight, which was en route to Tijuana with a scheduled stop in Missouri, had taken ascent to around 1,500 feet before rapidly descending. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy referred to it as a “high-impact crash” with the aircraft becoming “highly fragmented.” The recovery of debris from the crash site is expected to be an extensive process, potentially lasting weeks.
Among the victims were the child who had just finished medical treatment and her mother as well as the four crew members aboard the flight. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that all six individuals on the plane hailed from Mexico. While Philadelphia officials and the air ambulance company have yet to disclose the victims’ identities, one of them has been confirmed as Dr. Raúl Meza, a prominent chief of neonatology, and another as co-pilot Josué Juárez.
Mayor Parker stated that the full names of those who lost their lives will be withheld until it is deemed appropriate by officials from the Mexican consulate. However, local authorities in Mexico have already identified two victims from Ensenada, Baja California as Valentina Guzmán Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the operator of the ill-fated flight, is based in Mexico with additional operations in Miami. The company faced another tragic loss earlier this year when five crew members died in a separate incident in Mexico. In addition, audio captured from LiveATC provided the chilling dialogue of air traffic control shortly after the plane’s departure, highlighting the confusion as the controller reported, “We have a lost aircraft” moments before shutting down operations in the area.
