Desk
Share
A Jet Rescue Air Ambulance suffered a fatal crash at Cottman Avenue intersecting Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia on Friday thereby causing multiple fatalities involving at least six people as local media reports indicate.
Airplane XA-UCI which operated as a Learjet 55 was flying from Philadelphia to Springfield Missouri before the accident happened. The twin-engine jet serves as a medical transport aircraft in medical operations but organizational information about passengers and crew remains undisclosed.
Eyewitnesses Report Large Fire at Crash Site
Emergency services responded when an extensive fire erupted after the aviation disaster. The aircraft fire extended to surrounding vehicles and vehicles also caught fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially stated two people were flying but Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy validified six deaths after the crash incident. The FAA maintains silence regarding updating its official report about how many victims occurred.
Prior to the accident the aviation controllers communicated through air traffic systems.
The Associated Press obtained air traffic recordings which displayed communication during the final thirty seconds when the plane hit. Recordings from the controllers show they requested a helicopter from the area to fly behind the oncoming aircraft while undisclosed aspects of their communication continue to remain unknown.
Authorities Respond, Residents Advised to Avoid Area
Philadelphia residents must stay away from Calvert and St. Vincent streets because the Fire Department remains present with emergency teams at the site.
The Federal Aviation Administration suspended all ground operations at Northeast Philadelphia Airport because of a reported aircraft incident. The FAA official named Duffy remains focused on the accident situation while planning his way to the FAA headquarters for additional information.
Governor Josh Shapiro Pledges Support
The administration of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro maintains regular contact with both town officials and emergency rescue organizations. He declared that his administration will make full use of every state resource they possess to aid the response efforts targeting this fatal private aircraft incident in Northeast Philadelphia.
Authorities investigate the reason behind the accident while emergency workers perform their duties at the crash site.
