It has been one week because the devastating crash of a medical jet in Northeast Philadelphia, and data is coming in in regards to the flight, the victims of the crash and the way it’s impacting the group.
From progress on the cleanup to new findings within the investigation, this is what we all know up to now.
The crash of a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance airplane in Northeast Philly
It has been one week since a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia. NBC10’s Johnny Archer seems again at what occurred that day.
On Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, simply after 6 p.m., a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed alongside Cottman Avenue in entrance of the Roosevelt Mall close to Roosevelt Boulevard.
Officers stated the airplane was within the air for lower than a minute earlier than it crashed. That location is about 3 miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The medical jet was transporting a baby who had simply accomplished therapy for a life-threatening situation, her mom and 4 others when it crashed, officers have stated.
Who was on the airplane?
Candles, balloons and pictures have been positioned to honor the seven victims who have been killed when a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia over per week in the past. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan experiences.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance recognized the crew as Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla.
The Authorities of Ensenada additionally recognized the affected person and her mom who have been within the airplane as Valentina Guzman Murillo and Lizeth Murillo Ozuna, respectively.
Everybody aboard the flight was killed within the crash.
Officers have stated that the entire people on the airplane have been from Mexico. Guzman Murillo was being transported dwelling, in response to Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold. The flight’s closing vacation spot was Tijuana after a cease in Branson, Missouri.
Gold stated this was a seasoned crew and everybody concerned in these flights goes by way of rigorous coaching.
Why did the airplane crash?
No official reason behind the crash has but been offered.
In line with the flight tacker firm FlightAware, the jet took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.
The air visitors controller made contact with the airplane on departure and the pilot responded.
Nevertheless, shortly after takeoff, the air visitors controller repeatedly tried to make contact with the pilot once more, however they received no response. The flight path reveals the airplane made it about 1,600 toes within the air earlier than air visitors management misplaced contact.
On Sunday, Feb. 2 investigators recovered the black field, or cockpit voice recorder (CVR), from the airplane. It was situated on the website of the preliminary influence — close to Cottman Avenue and Rupert Road — at a depth of 8 toes in crater.
The NTSB additionally recovered the plane’s enhanced floor proximity warning system (EGPWS).
On Monday, Feb. 3 in a go to to the location of the crash, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy famous the investigation remains to be ongoing into the reason for the crash and officers are nonetheless analyzing these units as they search solutions.
“We have agreed to be as transparent as possible with information as it comes out,” he stated.
Additionally, in discussing the investigation, Duffy took time to applaud Parker in addition to metropolis and state officers for the speedy response to the tragedy.
“There has been a substantial impact that has taken place in your city,” Duffy stated, calling Parker’s work in response to the incident “outstanding.”
“They responded quickly to the scene and did a fantastic job,” he stated.
Because the NTSB investigates the medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia final week, the company will not be capable to examine a tool that would have helped determine what occurred with the plane. NBC10 investigative reporter Claudia Vargas explains.
Who was injured, killed on the bottom?
In an replace on Monday, Feb.3 Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stated that officers now consider at the least 24 individuals have been damage when the airplane crashed in Northeast Philly.
Additionally, she stated, one particular person in a automotive was killed when the airplane crashed close to the Roosevelt Mall.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, officers confirmed the identification of the one who died in that automobile as 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt of Philadelphia.
On Friday, Jan. 31, shortly after 6 p.m., Dreuitt, his longtime accomplice named Dominique, and his son have been driving to the Macy’s retailer on the Roosevelt Mall on Cottman Avenue. All of a sudden, a Learjet 55 that had simply departed from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport lower than three miles away plummeted to the bottom, inflicting a large explosion and a fireball that engulfed every thing in its path.
First responders found a number of autos alongside the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue after the crash. They then discovered Dreuitt’s physique inside one of many autos.
Whereas Dreuitt was killed, his longtime accomplice Dominique was badly injured, struggling burns to 70 % of her physique, in response to her cousin Shantelle Fletcher.
“She is in a medically induced coma,” Fletcher instructed NBC10 on Sunday, Feb. 2 “She’s responding well to medication.”
Dreuitt’s son additionally stays hospitalized, in response to his household.
Metropolis Councilmembers held a second of silence to honor the victims of the medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia final week.
One other one who remained hospitalized days after the crash is 10-year-old Trey Howard.
The boy’s father, Andre Howard, instructed NBC10 his son was hit within the head with metallic whereas in a automotive close to the scene of the crash.
The household stated that he’s making strides as he recovers from emergency mind surgical procedure on the Kids’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“The way it landed, it was only because he laid on his sister,” Howard instructed NBC10. “He landed right on the right side of his head.”
Trey Howard, 10, is making nice strides in his restoration after emergency mind surgical procedure following final week’s airplane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. NBC10’s Yukare Nakayama has the story.
Officers stated they’re nonetheless investigating and are working to find out if anybody else was injured or if anybody has gone lacking since final week’s crash
What is the standing of the investigation?
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board completed their work on the website of the lethal medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia, Managing Director Adam Ok. Thiel revealed throughout a press convention.
Thiel additionally stated the continuing forensic investigation — led by Philadelphia police — can be moved off website as officers look to revive the Northeast Philly group again to exercise days after final week’s devastation.
Crews from the streets division, the ‘Inexperienced’ crew, and PennDOT labored during the last week to scrub up the streets within the space. Crews have additionally now stuffed within the 8-foot crater the jet left behind when it crashed.
Cottman Avenue is again open between Roosevelt Boulevard and Bustleton Avenue. Some lanes are nonetheless closed whereas work on the scene continues.
Round 366 properties in Northeast Philadelphia have been broken by the crash, in response to officers. Thiel stated properties within the space stay broken and warned anybody who was not a resident or enterprise proprietor to keep away from the realm because the restoration efforts proceed.
You may be taught extra about all of the sources for impacted residents right here or by texting RECOVERPHL to 888-777.
The 2 EMTs who helped the younger lady, her mom and the medical jet crew get from the hospital to Northeast Philadelphia Airport stated every thing appeared regular earlier than the airplane took off on Friday. NBC10 investigative reporter Claudia Vargas spoke with them and has their story.
How the crash has affected the Northeast Philadelphia group
Mayor Parker initially stated final weekend that at the least 11 properties have been broken, in addition to a couple of companies, because of the crash.Although, as famous, officers have stated that quantity has elevated and over 350 properties are believed to have been broken on this incident.
Saleena Temple instructed NBC10 her sister Alexis Lloyd misplaced her dwelling throughout the crash. Temple stated Lloyd was only some toes away from the fiery influence.
“She was in the kitchen, cooking when it happened,” Temple stated.
Officers with town’s Workplace of Emergency Administration stated that PECO and PGW have confirmed all providers have been returned within the space close to the crash, aside from instantly impacted buildings.
However, they stated, there can be repairs wanted to lights, visitors indicators and roads.
What’s subsequent?
Metropolis officers held a city corridor for these impacted by this crash on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Over 100 residents confirmed as much as the assembly in search of all forms of help; some for help and others for housing as a result of many can’t return to their properties.
At this occasion, officers unveiled the One Philly Fund meant to assist victims of disasters that happen in Philadelphia. To be taught who’s eligible or find out how to donate, click on right here.
Additionally, an artist who has added seven crosses and a mural to a memorial alongside Cottman Avenue on the website of the crash hosted a vigil there shortly earlier than the city corridor assembly.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Metropolis of Philadelphia introduced a Multi-Company Useful resource Middle within the Scattergood Constructing at Pals Hospital, situated at 4641 Roosevelt Blvd.
The middle will host representatives from the Philadelphia Workplace of Emergency Administration, the Pennsylvania Emergency Administration Company, PennDot, the Pennsylvania Division of Human Providers, the Pennsylvania Insurance coverage Division, the American Crimson Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Merakey Behavioral Well being Pressing Care.
The town can also be asking anybody whose property was affected by the airplane crash to contact the Workplace of Emergency Administration.
In case you consider your property has been effected, officers ask that you just full a survey situated at www.phila.gov/damagereporter to assist OEM decide the areas and extent of harm. You can too dial 3-1-1 to finish your harm survey over the cellphone.
The town continues to answer the scene of final Friday’s lethal medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia. Officers have additionally opened a useful resource heart for individuals affected by the crash. NBC10’s Shaira Arias has the main points.
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