6 Feared Dead After Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia
Introduction
A tragic incident occurred in Philadelphia on Friday night when a small medical plane carrying six people crashed near a shopping center. The crash resulted in a large fireball that engulfed nearby homes and vehicles, leaving no survivors. The plane was transporting a young female patient, her mother, and medical crew from Philadelphia to Mexico.
Details of the Crash
The Learjet 55, owned by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was on a mission to transport a patient who had completed treatment at Shriners Children’s in Philadelphia. The patient and her mother were accompanied by two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic. All six individuals on board were Mexican nationals, as confirmed by Mexico’s Foreign Ministry.
The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia, with the plane plummeting to the ground just one minute after takeoff. Aviation tracking data indicated a rapid descent rate of 11,000 feet per minute. Air traffic controllers attempted to communicate with the pilot but received no response, leading to the conclusion that the plane was lost.
Impact and Response
The crash caused significant damage to an apartment building and several vehicles. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, with several injured individuals taken to Temple Health. Three were treated and released, while three others remained hospitalized. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid touching debris.
Mayor Cherelle Parker urged residents to exercise caution and avoid the crash site. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with thick smoke and the smell of fuel filling the air. One witness, Samuel Landis, recounted how the crash destroyed a job site where he was supposed to work. The incident has left the community in shock, with many struggling to comprehend the scale of the debris.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance’s Safety Record
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, operating for 27 years, has an otherwise clean safety record, with this incident being their second fatal crash. The company conducts between 600 to 700 flights annually, specializing in critical care patient transport.
Ongoing Investigations
The FAA and NTSB are leading the investigation into the crash. Both agencies have dispatched teams to the site to determine the cause of the accident. President Trump acknowledged the incident on social media, stating that his administration is monitoring developments.
Conclusion
The crash of the medical plane in Philadelphia is a somber reminder of the risks associated with air travel. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of six lives and seeks answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Sources:
Embed Scripts:
“`html
“`