PHILADELPHIA — A twin-engine medevac jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport on January 31, 2025, killing all eight on board and two individuals on the ground.
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, went down at approximately 2:41 p.m., shortly after taking off with an 11-year-old patient and her mother onboard. The NTSB reports that the jet lost control one minute into flight, descending at nearly 10,000 feet per minute and accelerating to over 275 MPH.
Emergency responders, including local fire departments, arrived at the scene to manage the fireball caused by the crash, injuring at least 19 people in the vicinity. Multiple vehicles and structures were engulfed in flames due to the incident.
The NTSB has published over 1,500 pages of findings, but the cause of the crash remains undetermined as investigations continue. Both pilots were experienced, and initial assessments indicated that both engines were operating at full power before the accident.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane streaking toward the ground at a sharp angle. Investigators found the Learjet’s pitch trim system incorrectly set, which may have impacted control efforts, but no conclusions have been drawn.
The wreckage spread over a quarter-mile, with key parts, including an engine core and landing gear, discovered in nearby residences. The NTSB is continuing its investigation to gather more information on this tragedy.