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NTSB releases preliminary report on Philadelphia Learjet crash killing seven

NTSB releases preliminary report on Philadelphia Learjet crash killing seven
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​​​​​​​​​​​​Jennifer L. Homendy Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board | Official Website

On Thursday, March 6th, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the Learjet 55 aircraft that crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on Friday, January 31st, when a Learjet 55 being used as an air ambulance departed a local airport in northeast Philadelphia. Shortly after departure, the jet nose-dived into several buildings near the airport, igniting a large fire and causing significant structural damage.

The crash resulted in the deaths of all six occupants aboard and one person on the ground. Over twenty other individuals on the ground sustained injuries.

About the initial plane crash

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The incident involved a Learjet 55 private jet registered as XA-UCI, flying from Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) to Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). The aircraft was owned and operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance under flight number MTS056.

According to Flightradar24 data, the plane was scheduled to depart at approximately 17:00 local time but actually took off around 18:06 local time. Just forty seconds after takeoff, it began a steep nose dive from its peak altitude of 1,650 feet. Reports indicate that it descended at a rate of about -11,000 feet per minute before impacting the ground at nearly a vertical angle.

All six occupants aboard were killed: a child patient being transported back to Mexico after receiving medical treatment in Philadelphia; her mother; and four others including crew members. Additionally, there was one fatality on the ground with four people suffering serious injuries and twenty experiencing minor injuries.

Findings from the preliminary NTSB report

The NTSB's preliminary report released on Thursday states that ADS-B flight track data showed that the aircraft departed runway 24 at PNE around 18:06 local time heading southwest before making slight right and then gradual left turns. It reached an altitude of up to 1,650 feet mean sea level (MSL) before descending rapidly.

No distress calls were received from the flight crew despite their contact with PNE air traffic control tower during this period. The plane crashed into a residential area sidewalk creating debris spread over an area measuring approximately1410 feet long by840 feet wide with an estimated descent angle of around22 degrees upon impact.

The team recovered Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR), which unfortunately had not recorded any audio for several years due to technical issues discovered after extensive repair efforts by officials.CVR was found buried under eight feet- deep soil debris near initial impact site location .

Photo: Jet Rescue Air Ambulance

Moreover , Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System(EGPWS ) installed onboard- shipped manufacturer 's facility currently undergoing evaluation process .

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance based Mexico operates Learjet55 registered XA UCI - fully certified United States Federal Aviation Administration FAA regulations- company maintains operational bases Mexico City Miami according official- website information provided .

Organizations Included in this History
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