NTSB Released A Preliminary Report on Philadelphia Learjet 55 Crash

The NTSB has issued a preliminary report On the accident that occurred on January 31, 2025, at 1807 eastern standard time, involving a Learjet 55 airplane, Mexican registration XA-UCI (call sign MTS056) which was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two pilots, two medical crewmembers, and two passengers were fatally injured. One person on the ground was fatally injured, 4 people were seriously injured, and 20 people incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 129 air ambulance flight.

Flight Summary

Preliminary ADS-B flight track data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the flight departed runway 24 at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1806, with the intended destination of Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), Springfield, Missouri. The airplane proceeded to the southwest before it turned right slightly and then entered a gradual left turn. The airplane continued in the left turn and reached an altitude of 1,650 ft mean sea level (airport elevation was 119 ft). The track data ended at 1807, at 1,275 ft msl, and at 242 knots ground speed. The duration of the flight was about 1 minute (see Figure 1).

The flight crew was in communication with the PNE air traffic control tower at the time of the accident and there were no distress calls received from the flight crew.

Wreckage Information 

The airplane initially impacted a concrete sidewalk in a residential and commercial area. Security camera videos depicted a large explosion associated with the initial impact. The wreckage debris field was about 1,410 ft in length and 840 ft wide, oriented on a magnetic heading of about 150°. The airplane impacted a commercial sign during its descent, and the calculated descent angle based on the height of the observed damage to the sign was about 22°. The wreckage was highly fragmented. Wreckage and debris penetrated numerous homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles in the area, resulting in extensive fire and impact damage.

Investigation and Preliminary Findings

The NTSB, along with aviation safety experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Mexico’s Dirección de Análisis de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación (DAAIA), is conducting a thorough investigation. Key findings from the initial report include:

• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Malfunction: The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). The CVR was recovered from the initial impact crater under 8 ft of soil and debris and was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for processing and readout. The recorder displayed significant impact-related damage as well as liquid ingress. After extensive repair and cleaning, the 30-minute-long tape-based recording medium was auditioned to determine its contents. The CVR did not record the accident flight and during the audition it was determined that the CVR had likely not been recording audio for several years.

• Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS): The airplane was also equipped with an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). The EGPWS computer, which may contain flight data in its nonvolatile memory, was shipped to the manufacturer’s facility for evaluation and to determine whether any relevant flight data could be recovered. At the time of the writing of this report, that evaluation was ongoing. .

Meteorological Conditions 

The accident occurred under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) at 17:54 local time, just minutes before the crash. The reported weather conditions were:

• Ceiling: Overcast at 400 feet above ground level (AGL)

• Visibility: 6 statute miles

• Wind: 220° at 9 knots

• Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 9°C

• Altimeter Setting: 29.71 inches Hg

Crew Experience 

The flight crew of the Learjet 55 consisted of two experienced pilots, The pilot-in-command held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land and instrument airplane. He also held a medical certificate issued by Mexico’s Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC). The operator reported that he had accumulated 9,200 total hours of flight experience. The second-in-command pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument privileges. He also held a medical certificate issued by AFAC. The operator reported that he had accumulated 2,600 total hours of flight experience. Both pilots held a type rating for the Learjet 55.

The tragic crash of the Learjet 55 in Philadelphia underscores the inherent risks of aviation, particularly in challenging weather conditions. While the investigation is still ongoing, early findings highlight critical areas of concern, including possible mechanical issues, the lack of cockpit voice recordings, and the role of adverse meteorological conditions. Both pilots were highly experienced and properly certified, suggesting that external factors may have contributed to the accident. As authorities continue their analysis, the aviation community awaits the final NTSB report, which will provide crucial insights and safety recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Until then, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols and continuous advancements in flight technology.

Read the Preliminary Report Here