The city of Philadelphia was left in mourning following the tragic crash of Medical Jet Flight 56, a Learjet 55, on the evening of Friday, January 31. The crash, which occurred at 6:07 p.m. on Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, claimed the lives of seven individuals, including those aboard the flight and one person on the ground. Authorities have since confirmed the identity of the seventh victim: 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt of Philadelphia.
The Devastating Crash and Ground Victim
Steven Dreuitt was tragically killed when the plane crashed onto Cottman Avenue, striking multiple vehicles. First responders arrived at the scene to find a deceased individual inside one of the impacted cars. The tragic event not only claimed the lives of the people aboard Medical Jet Flight 56 but also added a personal layer of heartbreak with Dreuitt’s untimely death.
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The Victims Aboard the Plane
The five individuals aboard the plane were all Mexican citizens, including:
- Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, the pilot
- Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, the co-pilot
- Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, a physician
- Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, a paramedic
- Valentina Guzman Murillo, a patient being transported for medical care
- Lizeth Murillo Ozuna, the patient’s mother
The crash resulted in the tragic loss of all six aboard the plane, further deepening the pain and shock surrounding the incident.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Answers
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an in-depth investigation into the crash. On Sunday, investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) from the wreckage. The CVR, which was found buried at a depth of 8 feet, could provide crucial insight into the final moments of the flight, while the EGPWS may help analyze the plane’s flight performance before impact.
Both pieces of equipment are being carefully analyzed by investigators to understand what caused the plane to crash and the tragic consequences that followed.
The City and Community in Mourning
The crash has deeply shaken the Philadelphia community, with families, friends, and colleagues of the victims grieving the loss of so many lives. The death of Steven Dreuitt, as well as the six individuals aboard the flight, has left the city reeling. Loved ones of the victims are receiving support, while the NTSB continues its efforts to uncover the cause of this devastating tragedy.
Looking for Answers
As the NTSB investigation continues, questions remain about what went wrong during the ill-fated flight and how it ended in such a horrific accident. The discovery of the CVR and EGPWS will hopefully provide the answers needed to understand the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
For now, the community of Philadelphia mourns the senseless loss of life and continues to support the families and friends affected by this devastating incident.
