Residents in northeast Philadelphia are in mourning after the fatal plane crash that took place on Friday January 31, 2025. At approximately 6pm Friday evening, a medical jet departing Northeast Philadelphia airport came crashing down along Cottman Ave in front of the Roosevelt Mall. Officials say the plane was in the air for less than a minute before impact.
According to NBC Philadelphia, the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance was doing a routine travel to Missouri, before continuing its route to Tijuana, Mexico. There were 6 people boarded on the jet, 4 of whom who have been identified as part of the ambulance crew: Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, co-pilot Jose De Jesus Juarez Juarez, Dr. Raul Meza Arrendondo and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla. The remaining 2 passengers were identified as Valentina Guzman Murillo, the 11-year-old patient who was being treated at Shriners Children’s Hospital for a lifesaving procedure, and her mother Lizeth Murillo Ozuna who was accompanying her throughout the trip.
All individuals on the plane were from Mexico and were headed back home. All aboard
the flight perished in the incident.
During the time of take-off, air traffic controller made contact with the plane, with a successful response from the pilot. Shortly after the departure air traffic controller attempted multiple times to reach the pilot again, but with no response. The official cause of the crash is still unknown but it is believed that the victims died before hitting the ground as it’s confirmed the jet exploded in the air before plummeting to the busy intersection.
According to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, officials believe at least 24 people were hurt due to the crash, many of them listed as critical condition involving children. One person who was driving down Cottman Ave. was pronounced dead at the scene.
Besides the tragedy of the lives lost and injured in the event, many people are also suffering due to the physical damage left behind. More than 10 homes and a few businesses surrounding the area were destroyed by the impact. Debris has been found miles away from the incident, with parts of the plane landing in various homes and scattered across the shopping center. Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder – 8 feet into the crater where the site of the initial impact took place near Cottman Ave. and Rupert Street.
Northeast Philadelphia resident, Ashley Matos who lives on Cottman Ave was luckily still stuck at work during the time of the crash. When asked about how she felt about the incident she stated, “I had absolutely no idea until a coworker ran into my office and started talking about a plane crash on Cottman. She didn’t say what intersection, but when she said Cottman, my heart sank. I called my brother (whom she lives with) immediately to make sure he was okay, which he was. Everything was okay, we were not personally effected but it’s a tragedy to the community.”
Ashley Matos is one of many northeast Philadelphia residents who are shaken up about the crash. Cottman Ave is a very prominent part of northeast Philadelphia, especially on a Friday night with so many stores and restaurant surrounding the vicinity. Now the area is cautioned off with many parts of Cottman Ave. still closed due to the ongoing investigation.
This plane crash came just two days after one of the deadliest U.S air disasters in over a generation, when an American Airlines jet with over 60 passengers collided midair with an army helicopter in Washington D.C.
All those impacted by the Philadelphia plane crash were urged to head over to the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region 24-hour shelter in place located at Samuel Fels High School.
Mayor Parker continues to speak on the matter as she says “The situation is fluid and it is active.”