Tragedy In Philly: Med Jet Crash Kills Seven, Following DC Crash

Just days after a devastating mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., claimed 67 lives, another tragic aviation incident has occurred—this time in Philadelphia. NBC 10 Philadelphia reports a devastating medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia claimed seven lives Friday night, including all six people on board and one person in a vehicle on the ground.

Source: Anadolu / Getty

The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m. and crashed in a fiery explosion just three miles away, near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue.

So What the Heck Is Going On?

According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, here’s what we know so far:

• What Happened? A medical jet crashed shortly after takeoff, bursting into flames and injuring at least 19 others.
• Who Was on Board? A child who had just finished life-saving treatment, her mother, and four crew members, all from Mexico.

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• Where Was the Plane Going? The flight was heading to Tijuana, Mexico, with a stop in Missouri before its final destination.
• Did Air Traffic Control Lose Contact? Yes. The pilot was cleared for takeoff but never responded again after initial communications.
• How Did the Plane Crash? Doorbell and surveillance footage captured the plane falling at a steep 45-degree angle, indicating a possible loss of control.
• Was It a Mechanical Issue? Experts suggest an aircraft malfunction, flight control failure, or catastrophic event mid-flight.
• What Was the Weather Like? NBC 10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Brittney Shipp described conditions as cloudy and rainy but not extreme, stating:

“This wasn’t perfect visibility, but it was pretty typical for the type of rainstorm we saw today.”

• Has This Happened Before? Yes. This is Jet Rescue’s second fatal crash in 15 months—in 2023, another of their planes overran a runway in Mexico, killing five crew members.

What Are The Leading Theories?

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, and as NBC 10 Philadelphia reports, officials are combing through wreckage, flight data, and black box recordings.

Aviation expert Arthur Wolk analyzed the chilling doorbell footage of the crash and pointed to the jet’s steep descent as a sign of total loss of control:

“No pilot would voluntarily descend any airplane at that angle. That probably resulted in the airplane striking the ground at over 400 knots and probably 5,000 or even 10,000 feet per minute going down that fast,” Wolk told NBC 10.

Meanwhile, questions are surfacing about Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a company with a history of deadly crashes. 

If a mechanical failure is found, it could raise concerns about their fleet maintenance and safety protocols.

So What Does That Mean Now?

Source: Anadolu / Getty

Beyond the tragedy and aviation concerns, conspiracy theories are circulating—and Donald Trump’s name is being dragged into the conversation. Previously reported by BOSSIP, Trump blames DEI for this accident.

Some President…anyways!

Following his re-election in 2024, Trump shut down the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and replaced it with private contractors, claiming the move would cut costs and increase efficiency. However, critics warned that deregulating air safety would lead to catastrophic failures like this one.

With Jet Rescue’s second fatal crash in just over a year, some are questioning whether lack of federal oversight played a role. 

Now, experts as well as social media conspirators are asking more questions:

• Did Trump’s FAA shutdown lead to weaker safety regulations?
• Were budget cuts a factor in Jet Rescue’s fleet maintenance?
• Could stricter oversight have prevented this disaster?

While no direct connection has been made, the timing is suspicious, and expect major scrutiny on Trump’s aviation policies in the wake of this tragedy in Philadelphia.

What Happens Next?

• NBC 10 Philadelphia reports NTSB investigators have arrived on-site, and findings are expected in the coming weeks. 
• Black box analysis and air traffic control recordings will be key in understanding the final moments before the crash.
• Expect backlash against Trump’s FAA shutdown and calls for increased oversight, especially if regulatory failures contributed to the crash.
• Families of the victims may take legal action against Jet Rescue Air Ambulance if negligence is discovered.

For now, Philadelphia mourns yet another unthinkable loss, while the country waits for answers on what caused this devastating crash.