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Community in Shock After Northeast Philadelphia Learjet Crash

Community members gather at a memorial site to honor the victims of the tragic Learjet crash.

News Summary

The community of Northeast Philadelphia is still reeling from the tragic Learjet crash that took the lives of six people. Occurring on January 31, the crash involved a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. Among the deceased were an 11-year-old girl and her mother, alongside the flight crew. Additionally, a local man was killed when the jet struck his vehicle. As investigations continue, the community is focused on healing and providing support to the affected families while grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.

Northeast Philadelphia – Six months after the tragic Learjet crash that claimed the lives of six individuals in Northeast Philadelphia, the local community continues to grapple with the repercussions of this devastating event. The crash occurred on January 31, 2025, when a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance went down at approximately 6 p.m. on Cottman Avenue near Roosevelt Mall.

All six persons aboard the Learjet perished in the incident, including 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna. The flight crew consisted of Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla. The aircraft was headed to Branson, Missouri, before continuing to Mexico.

On the ground, the impact of the crash also resulted in the death of 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt, who was driving with his family when the Learjet struck his vehicle. Tragically, Dreuitt’s partner, Dominique Goods-Burke, later died from injuries sustained in the crash, leaving their son as the sole survivor of their family ordeal. In total, the event injured dozens and left at least 350 properties damaged in the vicinity of the crash site.

As residents continue to recover from the incident, individuals like Vanessa Graham are still facing challenges with home repairs. Graham is awaiting roof repairs and coping with the emotional aftermath of the crash. Meanwhile, business owner Greg Ott has been working to restore his office space, which sustained significant damage from jet fuel and debris, although he felt thankful that the destruction was not worse.

The impact of the crash created an 8-foot crater in the ground and led to a massive fireball, intensifying the chaos in the area. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 p.m. Witness accounts, supported by security camera footage, captured the plane’s catastrophic descent and subsequent explosion.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that there were no distress calls made by the flight crew prior to the crash. A preliminary report revealed that the wreckage encompassed a field approximately one and a half city blocks in length and five football fields in width, with debris severely affecting numerous nearby structures. Investigators located the cockpit voice recorder, which, however, had not captured any flight audio and was likely malfunctioning for years prior to the crash. An Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System was also recovered, and evaluations to extract potential data are still in progress.

At the time of the crash, weather conditions included low visibility due to an overcast sky, which was reported to be only 400 feet above ground level. Captain Montoya had accumulated more than 9,200 hours of flight experience, while co-pilot Juarez held over 2,600 hours.

Ongoing investigations into the crash will take time, with legal representation being sought by victims and their families. Community members and local officials participated in a procession to honor those who lost their lives, as their remains were returned to families in Mexico to seek closure. The NTSB is working diligently to complete its final report on the crash, a process that may take a year or longer.

As the investigation continues, the community remains focused on healing and supporting one another in the wake of this tragic event. The scars of the crash will serve as a reminder of the lives lost and the enduring impact on the families and residents of Northeast Philadelphia.