Company operating plane in Philly crash had previous fatal incident in Mexico
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company operating the medical ambulance jet that crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday night, was also involved in another fatal crash over a year ago. The company confirmed that a Learjet 55 crashed while departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, resulting in a tragic incident near Roosevelt Mall.
The plane was carrying four crew members, two passengers – a pediatric patient and her mother, all of whom were Mexican nationals. The crew consisted of a pilot, co-pilot, physician, and paramedic. The Federal Aviation Administration verified the number of individuals on board during the crash.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance was previously involved in a deadly crash in November 2023 in southern Mexico. The Learjet 35A crashed on landing at Cuernavaca Airport in Morelos, Mexico, after departing from Toluca International Airport. Unfortunately, there were no survivors among the five crew members on board.
Regarding the recent Philadelphia crash, the company stated that they would not release any names until family members had been notified. Their primary concern was for the well-being of the patient’s family, company personnel, and other victims who may have been affected on the ground.
The ill-fated plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri with a technical stop in Springfield, Missouri, for refueling. The patient on board was in the U.S. for critical medical treatment and was returning home after receiving care. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the aircraft was headed to Missouri when the crash occurred.
The aftermath of the crash led to fires that were eventually brought under control by Philadelphia firefighters. The blaze was fueled by jet fuel from the aircraft, resulting in nearby homes and vehicles catching fire. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker could not confirm the exact number of fatalities during a news conference following the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board is spearheading the investigation into the crash, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Philadelphia. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has briefed President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on the tragic event.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community and the public await further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the factors that led to this devastating incident.
