On January 31st, a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed in northeast Philadelphia. The aircraft, departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the plane nosedived and impacted the ground vertically, resulting in seven fatalities, including all six on board and one person on the ground. Over twenty others sustained injuries.
The crash of this Learjet 55 occurred three days following a midair collision involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ-700 and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk. This earlier incident resulted in 67 fatalities.
American Airlines CEO emphasized that “the NTSB leads the investigation of aviation accidents,” referring to ongoing inquiries into these incidents.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash to determine its cause. Speculation exists that improper maintenance due to the aircraft’s age—over forty years—might have contributed.
Flight data indicates the Learjet 55 departed later than scheduled from Philadelphia. Within seconds of takeoff, it reached an altitude of approximately 1,650 feet before descending at a rate of 11,000 feet per minute. Viral videos captured its impact with buildings and subsequent explosion.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance owned and operated the Learjet involved in this tragic accident. The company provides air ambulance services from bases in Mexico City and Miami using a fleet that includes nine medical evacuation jets and one helicopter.
Learjet’s history dates back to its founding by Bill Lear in the late 1950s as Swiss American Aircraft Corporation. The company became known for developing private jets such as the Learjet 23 through various improved models over time. By the late 1970s, they began work on what would become the Learjet 55 series, known for having one of their largest cabins at that time.
Initially announced at Paris Air Show in 1977, production of Learjet 55 started with its first flight in April 1979 and entered service by March 1981. The series produced nearly 150 variants before concluding production in 1987.
Key design features include retractable landing gear and two rear-mounted turbofan engines providing thrust for notable performance specifications like a maximum speed of 470 knots (541 mph) and range up to approximately 2,492 miles.
