Photo courtesy of Fox 4 News
PHILADELPHIA – Days after a devastating medical transport plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia, the community remains shaken as investigators work to determine what went wrong. The disaster claimed the lives of seven people, including a pediatric patient, and left at least 22 others injured.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash, which sent a fireball through a residential neighborhood, engulfing streets and homes in smoke and flames.
What We Know
A Learjet 55, en route to Missouri, crashed near Cottman Avenue and Bustleton Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday. On board were six individuals—four crew members, a young patient, and her mother—all of whom perished in the crash.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance identified the victims as:
- Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales (pilot)
- Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez (co-pilot)
- Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo
- Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla
- Patient Valentina Guzman Murillo
- Her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna
A seventh victim—a person inside a vehicle near the crash site—was later confirmed by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on Sunday. Their identity has yet to be released.
The number of injured victims has climbed to 22, with five still hospitalized, including three in critical condition.
Scene of the Crash
The crash site spans four to six blocks, leaving gaping holes in streets and sidewalks, charred vehicles abandoned on the road, and multiple homes and businesses damaged. Officials have begun clearing the wreckage, but the scale of destruction is extensive.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
NTSB investigators made a crucial breakthrough Sunday, recovering the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) at a depth of eight feet at the initial impact site. The team also recovered the enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which may contain vital flight data.
What Happened?
Preliminary findings suggest the plane:
- Climbed to about 1,500 feet
- Made a slight right turn, then a left turn
- Entered a steep descent before crashing
Notably, the pilot never contacted air traffic control, and attempts to reach the aircraft went unanswered. Investigators have located both engines and the black box, which could provide key insights into the cause of the crash. The recovered data will be analyzed at the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Impact on the Community
The crash has deeply affected local residents.
Lena, a neighbor, described the horrifying moment:
“The sound was terrible. My ears are still buzzing. I was driving just five minutes before—it could have been me.”
Angelique shared her fear for her niece, who commutes through the area daily:
“If she hadn’t gotten off work late that day, she could have been right there.”
Road Closures & Transportation Updates
- Roosevelt Boulevard has fully reopened.
- Cottman Avenue remains closed between Bustleton Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, including sidewalks and the Cottman Avenue bridge.
- SEPTA detours remain in place—updates can be found at SEPTA.org.
Community Support & Assistance
- Shelter available at Samuel Fels High School (5500 Langdon Street)
- Red Cross Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (24/7 multilingual support)
- Residents are urged to check on neighbors and report missing persons.
What’s Next?
- A town hall meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. (location TBD).
- NTSB continues debris collection and wreckage analysis.
- Long-term recovery efforts, including road and infrastructure repairs, are being planned.
How You Can Help
- Anyone with video or photos of the crash can submit them to [email protected].
- Residents who find debris are urged not to touch it and instead report it to authorities.
Larger Aviation Tragedy
This crash follows another aviation disaster just two days earlier—the deadliest U.S. air accident in a generation—when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people on board.
As Philadelphia mourns, the investigation continues, with the hope of finding answers and preventing future tragedies.
