Black Box and Flight Recorder Found at the Crash Site
Investigators have successfully recovered the black box from the wreckage of a Learjet 55 ambulance aircraft that tragically crashed in Philadelphia. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR), found buried at a depth of eight feet, is expected to provide critical insights into the events leading up to the crash on January 31, 2025. Alongside the CVR, the plane’s enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) was also retrieved, which could offer additional flight data. Both devices are being sent to the National Transport Safety Bureau’s (NTSB) Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for thorough analysis.
Increasing Death Toll and Injuries
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed the death of a seventh individual, who was in a vehicle struck by the crashing aircraft. This catastrophic event has now resulted in severe injuries to 22 individuals, with five still hospitalized in critical condition. The community’s first responders and firefighters have been lauded for their prompt actions in managing the emergency and ensuring the safety of Northeast Philadelphia residents.
Victims Identified and Community Response
The deceased include both crew members and passengers of the air ambulance, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales and Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez were identified alongside medical personnel, Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo and Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla. A young patient, Valentina Guzman Murillo, and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna, were also among the victims. The child had been receiving treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and was en route to her home country, Mexico, at the time of the accident.
The local community and officials have expressed deep sorrow and solidarity following the crash. Mayor Parker highlighted the impact on the citizens of Northeast Philadelphia, particularly those in neighborhoods directly affected by the disaster. The city’s response has included extended office hours to assist those impacted and ongoing monitoring of the situation by local authorities.
Flight Details and Preliminary Findings
Preliminary ADS-B flight data revealed that the aircraft took off from runway 24 at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) and reached an altitude of 1,650 feet. However, within minutes, the jet entered a steep descent, accelerating to a descent rate of -11,000 feet per minute at a ground speed of 247 knots, leading to the fatal crash. The aircraft, registered as MTS56, was scheduled to stop at Springfield Branson National Airport (SGF) in Missouri before heading to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) in Mexico.