On the evening of January 31, 2025, residents of the Rhawnhurst neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia heard a powerful explosion, immediately followed by a fire. A medical transport plane had crashed, carrying a sick young girl, her mother, and four medical and crew members. All were Mexican nationals, and tragically, none survived the crash. For more details, visit philadelphia-future.
Another person on the ground was killed, and over 20 others sustained injuries of varying severity, including one child. We’re providing a comprehensive look at this tragedy that has shaken not only Philadelphia but the entire nation.
Who Was On Board?
The small medical aircraft, which took off on the evening of January 31, 2025, carried six Mexican individuals. The youngest passenger, a sick girl, had been in Philadelphia for treatment of a serious illness. This flight was intended to transport her and her mother back home. The final destination was Tijuana, with a scheduled stop in Missouri.
The plane also carried four adults: crew members and medical personnel. According to airline spokespersons, the crew had necessary experience and qualifications and had conducted similar flights numerous times. All aircraft also underwent necessary inspections.
Crash Details
The disaster occurred shortly after the plane departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily handles charter and business flights. This area has a notable history, including Philadelphia’s first hot-air balloon flight.
The Learjet 55 took off at 6:06 PM, flew only three miles, and then suddenly vanished from radar. At that point, it had reached an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters). There were no distress calls or reports of control issues from the crew prior to its disappearance. Air traffic controllers, who desperately tried to re-establish contact with those on board, received no response.
The plane crashed in a Philadelphia suburb, at an intersection near Roosevelt Mall. This is a densely populated area, and on a Friday evening, the streets were bustling with pedestrians and cars.
Police and fire units immediately rushed to the crash site. The impact caused a powerful explosion and ignited a fire that engulfed the surrounding area and several vehicles. Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the blaze within an hour.
One of the first videos from the scene was captured by an eyewitness on their mobile phone. It depicted a horrific post-crash scene with orange flames, thick black smoke, and debris scattered everywhere.
Numerous eyewitness accounts soon emerged:
- Residents in nearby homes reported hearing a loud explosion and feeling a shockwave that rattled the ground.
- A nearby doorbell camera recorded the moment the plane went down.
- Many people witnessed the intense fire and dense black smoke rapidly spreading from the crash site.
Tragically, all six people aboard the plane died instantly. In addition, over 20 individuals on the ground near the crash site were injured, including one child. All injured parties were immediately hospitalized. Five of them were discharged the following day in stable condition, while others continued to receive treatment at various medical facilities across the city.
Aftermath and Investigation
The plane that crashed in the Philadelphia suburb was registered in Mexico to “Jet Rescue,” a company operating in both Mexico and the U.S., providing air ambulance services. Notably, their team transported renowned baseball player David Ortiz to Boston after he was wounded in the Dominican Republic. The company’s planes also frequently transported patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Philadelphia crash marks the company’s second fatal incident in the past two years. In 2023, five crew members died after a Jet Rescue plane crashed into a nearby hill shortly after takeoff in Mexico.
Company representatives emphasize that all their aircraft undergo necessary maintenance, as they perform extremely vital missions. Therefore, such cases are shocking and demand a thorough investigation to determine the causes and prevent catastrophes in the future.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed their condolences following the plane crash and the loss of lives. The number of injured was confirmed the day after the accident, totaling over 20, including one child. Several cars on the street were also destroyed by fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the crash on the very evening it occurred. Additional investigative teams and officials arrived at the crash site the following day to join the process.
Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a significant area. Most of it was collected within the first week after the crash. However, authorities urged local residents that if they find debris or suspicious parts, they must immediately call 911 and under no circumstances touch the debris. Investigators hope to locate the “black box” or its fragments to determine the cause of the disaster.