January 31, 2025. It started as a routine medevac flight. A Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) at 6:06 p.m. It was supposed to be a journey of hope—carrying a young girl, Valentina Guzmán Murillo, and her mother back home to Mexico after weeks of life-saving treatment at Shriners Children's Philadelphia.
Forty seconds. That’s all it took for everything to go wrong.
Basically, the plane climbed to about 1,650 feet before it just... fell. If you’ve seen the Philadelphia plane crash 2025 video circulating on social media, you know how haunting it is. A Ring doorbell camera captured the aircraft in a literal vertical plunge, a white streak against the dark sky, followed by a massive fireball that lit up the Castor Gardens neighborhood. It wasn't just a crash; it was a localized catastrophe that felt like a war zone in the middle of a Friday night shopping rush near Roosevelt Mall.
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The Footage Everyone is Talking About
The viral video isn't just "content." It’s actually been a vital piece of the puzzle for the NTSB. The footage shows the Learjet descending at a terrifying angle—investigators later calculated it at about 22 degrees—into the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.
Witnesses at the nearby Raising Cane’s and Roosevelt Mall described the ground shaking. One man, Vadim Osipov, honestly thought a gas station had exploded or, given the world climate, that a rocket had hit. Debris didn't just stay at the impact site; it hurtled through windows of diners and crushed cars blocks away.
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What the NTSB Found (and What They Didn't)
When the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their preliminary report (Investigation ID: ERA25MA106), they dropped a bombshell that kind of flew under the radar for some. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR)—the "black box" that’s supposed to tell us what the pilots were saying—was useless.
It was found 8 feet deep in the impact crater, but here's the kicker: it hadn't been recording for years.
Hard Facts from the Investigation:
- The Aircraft: A 1982 Learjet 55 (Registration: XA-UCI).
- The Descent: Data suggests an 11,000 feet-per-minute drop.
- Ground Zero: The debris field stretched 1,410 feet long.
- The Casualties: 8 total fatalities. This includes all 6 on board (2 pilots, 2 medical staff, the child, and her mother) and 2 people on the ground.
- Injuries: At least 24 people were hurt, some critically, including a young boy in a car that was directly hit.
There were no distress calls. None. The pilots, Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales and Co-pilot Josué Juárez, were experienced, with over 11,000 combined flight hours. Yet, within less than a minute, they went from a standard departure to a catastrophic loss of control.
Misconceptions and the "Fireball" Narrative
A lot of people online keep claiming weather was the only factor. While it was a "messy" night—mist, light rain, and an overcast ceiling at 400 feet—the NTSB has been pretty clear that weather rarely acts alone in a crash this violent. They are currently looking into the thrust reversers. There’s a history of malfunctions with this specific Learjet model where a thrust reverser deploys in flight, which would basically flip the plane over instantly.
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You've probably seen the "fireball" screenshots. That explosion was fueled by the jet’s departure fuel load. It destroyed four homes and damaged 17 others. The local response was actually incredible—more than 150 firefighters were on the scene within minutes, and neighbors were seen wrapping burnt victims in their own jackets.
Why the Philadelphia Plane Crash 2025 Video Still Matters
The reason this specific video remains so prominent is that it fills the gap left by the broken black box. Without audio from the cockpit, investigators have to rely on "ADS-B" flight data and visual evidence to reconstruct the final seconds. We know the plane turned slightly right, then entered a "gradual left turn" that became a death spiral.
For the residents of Northeast Philly, this isn't just a video. It's a permanent scar on the neighborhood. Mayor Cherelle Parker has since signed a Disaster Emergency declaration to help businesses and families recover, but the psychological toll is huge.
Actionable Steps for Those Following the Case:
- Monitor the Final Report: The NTSB's final "Probable Cause" report isn't expected until late 2026 or early 2027. Avoid "expert" TikTokers until the official metallurgy and engine analysis are complete.
- Check for ADs: If you are an operator or enthusiast, keep an eye on FAA Airworthiness Directives (ADs) regarding Learjet 55 flight control surfaces or thrust reverser locking mechanisms.
- Support the Victims: The City of Philadelphia still has a Recovery Helpline (215-586-3400) for those impacted by property damage or trauma from the event.
- Report New Evidence: If you have high-quality dashcam or security footage from Jan 31, 2025, that hasn't been shared, the NTSB still accepts submissions at witness@ntsb.gov.
The investigation is far from over. While the Philadelphia plane crash 2025 video gives us the "what," we are still waiting on the "why." Mechanical failure? A catastrophic electrical short? We won't know for sure until the NTSB finishes their deep dive into the wreckage currently sitting in a secure hangar in Delaware.