Learjet Crash Shocks Northeastern Philadelphia Community

The crash of a Learjet 55 shortly after takeoff shocked residents of Northeastern Philadelphia, setting fire to at least three homes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.

What Happened in the Recent Philadelphia Airplane Crash

According to news reports, the plane crashed around 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue on January 31. Videos that bystanders posted to social media showed plumes of smoke and fire rising into the sky. 

Air traffic controllers report that they communicated with the plane during takeoff. However, air traffic controllers lost contact once the craft was in the air. 

The plane, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, carried two passengers and four crew members, all of whom died in the explosion. At least 22 other people were injured. Three houses caught fire as a result of the crash. 

City officials reminded residents to call 911 if they see debris and to avoid touching the debris, as injuries could occur. 

Aviation Injury Statistics

Airplanes remain one of the safest modes of travel per mile, yet they are not immune to accidents. In 2023, the NTSB recorded 1,216 civil aviation accidents. These included 1,150 “general aviation” accidents, a category that includes commercial airlines. In 2023, 37 crashes occurred among “commuter and on-demand carriers,” which includes air ambulances. 

General aviation accidents decreased in 2023 compared to 2022. However, crashes and deaths in commuter and on-demand aircraft increased. 

Types of Negligence and Aviation Injuries

The NTSB tracks the causes of aviation accidents. Common causes of airplane crashes and accidents include:

• Loss of control of the aircraft during flight,
• Loss of control of the aircraft on the ground,
• Failures in systems or components of the aircraft,
• Mistakes or problems during takeoff and landing, such as missing the runway, bouncing, or skipping on the runway, and
• Collisions on takeoff, landing, or in the air.

Among these common accident causes, loss of control in the air and crashing into the ground are the most common causes of fatalities. 

Each of these common causes of airline accidents may result from negligence. Pilots who are distracted or intoxicated may lose control of an aircraft or make preventable mistakes during takeoff and landing. They may also take steps that result in collisions.

Yet pilots are not the only ones with a duty of care in air travel. Accidents, injuries, and deaths can also result from negligence that a pilot could do nothing to prevent or address. For example:

• Negligent maintenance of an aircraft may result in systems or components failing, which can trigger a loss of control, collision, or crash. 
• Negligent manufacturing or design of an aircraft can cause system or component failure if the plane is not made with adequate materials, is not built correctly, or contains other hidden defects. 
• Negligent behavior by ground crews or air traffic controllers can trigger a chain of events that result in injuries or death. 
• The behavior of other passengers or members of the flight crew can also cause harm. 

Airlines and air crews understand the risks posed by flights. Most take their responsibilities to their passengers seriously. Unless everyone involved in air travel meets their duty of due care, however, preventable injuries or death may result. 

Airline crews and passengers aren’t the only ones exposed to death or injury risks. Ground crews, passengers and staff waiting at airports, and people in the path of an airline crash all face the risk of serious injuries or death if an accident occurs. When negligence causes an airline accident, these injured people deserve compensation as well.

What To Do After Fatal Aviation Crash in Philadelphia

Families who lose a loved one in an airline accident may seek compensation for wrongful death. A wrongful death claim compensates your loved one’s estate for their losses. It also compensates family members for certain losses, like the loss of your loved one’s companionship or financial support. 

Navigating a wrongful death claim after a loss can be difficult. It’s tough to take on a legal case in the best circumstances. When you’re grieving a sudden death, the job can feel impossible. A knowledgeable attorney can handle your legal needs so you can focus on your family. 

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one to a plane crash, don’t wait. Talk to the experienced injury attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer today. Contact us to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We’ll do our best to answer your questions and help you understand your options.