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Apocalyptic scenes

Tragedy Strikes Northeast Philadelphia: Learjet Crash Claims Seven Lives

While the NTSB continues its investigation, the community mourns, and the political arena debates the lessons to be learned from this tragedy.

 Luxembourg Air Ambulance Learjet 35A/ZR on finals for runway 31
Photo: Shutterstock / InsectWorld

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA — In a heart-wrenching incident, a medical transport jet crashed into a bustling area near the Roosevelt Mall on Friday evening, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including a young patient and her mother. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, plummeted shortly after its departure from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, unleashing chaos in a community unprepared for such devastation.

The plane, which was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri with an eventual destination of Tijuana, Mexico, took off at approximately 6:06 p.m. EST. Within minutes, it had crashed, creating a scene of destruction as it impacted several buildings, vehicles, and started multiple fires. This tragic sequence of events was captured by local surveillance and doorbell cameras, showing the jet "falling out of the sky" and exploding into a massive fireball.

Victims and Community Impact:

Among the fatalities were the child patient, who had been receiving treatment in Philadelphia, her mother, and four crew members of Mexican nationality. On the ground, one person lost their life, while 19 others were injured, some critically, from the ensuing chaos of debris, fire, and explosions.

The community has been left reeling, with local businesses near the mall suffering damage and residents, some of whose homes were partially destroyed, seeking shelter. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, alongside Governor Josh Shapiro, declared a unified response to aid those affected, with emergency services' quick action being commended.

Eyewitness Accounts:

Residents and bystanders provided harrowing accounts of the crash. Gustavo and Sam Chaves, who were near the scene, described it as "like an earthquake," with a flash of light covering the entire block. "We thought it was an earthquake... we saw just a flash of light covering the whole block," they recounted in an interview with ABC News Live.

Another witness, Stanley James III, felt his car shaking and described the immediate aftermath where "everything was just engulfed in flames." He shared his experience with ABC News Live, emphasizing the intensity of the explosion. Jim Quinn, whose doorbell camera captured the plane's descent, spoke of hearing a loud roar followed by a massive plume of smoke, encapsulating the shock felt by many in the area.

Jimmy Weiss also witnessed the crash, describing how "the ground shook" with a "loud boom" that was startling and traumatic for those nearby. The collective sentiment among witnesses was one of disbelief and trauma, with one local describing the scene as "something out of hell".

Investigation and Preliminary Findings:

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the crash, with preliminary findings indicating the jet climbed to about 1,500 feet before making a fatal descent. The reason for this sudden drop remains unknown, with the search for the cockpit voice recorder ongoing. Air traffic controllers reported no communication issues prior to the incident, leaving many questions unanswered about the moments leading up to the crash.

Political Reactions:

The tragedy has not escaped political discourse. President Donald Trump, in a statement, mourned the "innocent souls lost" and lauded first responders for their swift actions. "So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged," Trump posted on Truth Social.

Vice President J.D. Vance echoed Trump's sentiments, offering condolences and stating, "May God bless the victims and their families."

Vance supported Trump's narrative in a recent interview, defending the administration's stance on hiring practices by claiming that previous standards had been "mediocre at best" under prior administrations. He argued for a return to "extraordinary" standards for aviation personnel, suggesting that the current tragedy might be linked to past policy decisions.

However, the crash has also sparked controversy. Trump, in a previous statement regarding a similar incident, suggested that progressive DEI policies at the Federal Aviation Administration might contribute to such accidents, a speculation that has drawn both support and criticism.

As Philadelphia grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on supporting the bereaved, healing the community, and ensuring that such an incident does not repeat. The city, state, and federal officials are all expected to review and possibly overhaul protocols to prevent future catastrophes, with the hope that from this tragedy, safer skies may emerge.

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