What happened
On a flight operating under callsign MTS56, an aircraft departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 1805 local time. The mission was an emergency medical transport destined for Springfield-Branson Airport in Missouri. The flight was being operated by Med Jets, carrying a crew of two pilots, two paramedics, a pediatric patient, and the patient's mother.
Shortly after departing from runway 24, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 1,650 feet. During this climb, while flying through light rain and mist, the plane entered an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft struck Cottman Avenue near the Roosevelt Mall, roughly 4.7 km southwest of the runway terminus. The impact was characterized by a high rate of descent, causing the plane to disintegrate. The crash resulted in the destruction of multiple vehicles and several buildings.
Findings
- The accident occurred during the climb phase of flight.
- Weather conditions at the time of the incident included marginal visibility due to mist and light rain.
- The crash resulted in six fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft and one fatality on the ground.