Accident

Breaking: Philadephia Learjet Crash, Second Crash In Week

Posted on 5 Comments

In a developing story, a Learjet appears to have crashed into a building in Philadelphia, the second notable crash in a week following American Airlines 5342. 

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Air Ambulance In Flames After Take-off

Horrifying imagery has come out of Philadelphia Friday evening, January 31st, 2025. A fireball hurled toward what has been said to be a residential area hitting a mall. FlightRadar24 tracking has corroborated statements that it was, in fact, a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance from North Philadelphia airport. So far, six lives have been claimed from onboard the aircraft including the patient being transported. Several homes were reportedly struck and affected.

Captured on Ring, broadcasted on X:


This angle shows a better view of the final moments showing the plane streaking down at a very high rate of speed.

There was extensive damage on the ground.

GRAPHIC WARNING: A person can be seen walking ablaze out of the crash site.

Cause Unknown

While speculation is swirling online without much known information,  there are a few distinguishing characteristics from AA5342 or even prior incidents in the last six months.

The plane was clearly on fire, or more likely one of the two engines were, prior to landing. It purportedly reached more than 11,000 feet per second in its descent which is around its terminal velocity.

We can rule out a few culpruits right away. It wasn’t DEI, it wasn’t a short staffed ATC, it’s almost certainly not pilot error, and it wasn’t nefarious. This was a mechanical issue through and through. With at least one engine on fire, there’s no question something went wrong with the plane and it looks like it was uncontrollable through the end.

Second Air Related Accident In A Week

Just two evenings prior, an American Eagle CRJ200 was involved in a mid-air collision with a Black Hawk helicopter on short final to Washington Reagan National’s runway 33. All onboard both aircraft perished resulting in 67 deaths and the closure the Reagan for a 12-hour period. While little is known about the ultimate cause of that wreck, newly appointed Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, will once again dispatch NTSB investigators to the scene of an accident. It’s been a horrific week for US air transport.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are extended to the families of all three incidents.

About Author

Kyle Stewart

Kyle is a freelance travel writer with contributions to Time, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, Huffington Post, Travel Codex, PenAndPassports, Live And Lets Fly and many other media outlets. He is also co-founder of Scottandthomas.com, a travel agency that delivers "Travel Personalized." He focuses on using miles and points to provide a premium experience for his wife, daughter, and son. Email: sherpa@thetripsherpa.comEmail: sherpa@thetripsherpa.com

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5 Comments

  1. Bobo Bolinski Reply

    DEI is to blame, no doubt.

  2. Billy Bob Reply

    We are on pace for 132 plane crashes during trumps term. Given his strong desire for many air traffic controllers to take buyouts, I might take the over

  3. Lukas Reply

    “prior to landing.” I wish it landed!

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