The Aftermath Of The Medical Jet Crash On Cottman Avenue
by Alex Lloyd Gross
It was just after 6:00 PM when Northeast Philadelphia was changed forever. A medical jet transport plane was in the air for about 31 seconds when it crashed onto Cottman Ave. Right in front of the Roosevelt Mall. Right in front of hundreds , if not thousands of horrified onlookers. Many ran away, while some stayed to help or whip out their phones to take photos, for no apparent reason.
Now, 48 hours later, we have a better understanding about some of what happened. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales and Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez have been identified as the pilot and co-pilot of the flight. They were transporting Valentina Guzman Murillo, and her mother, Lizaeth Murillo Osuna. Murillo was getting care from Shriner”s Children’s Hospital .
Also on the flight was Rodrigo Lopez Padilla and Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo. Lopez was a paramedic. They all died in the crash.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo- Delaware Valley News.com The burn out cars on Cottman Ave Friday night.
FAA and NTSB Investigators were at the scene,combing through the wreckage. When the aircraft smashed into the ground, several cars were destroyed. A fireball erupted that could be seen for miles and at least two houses were destroyed, and three others sustained serious damage, officials said. . Jet fuel kept the fire burning for hours.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo=Delaware Valley News.com Cottman Ave. after the plane crash.
A total of 22 people were hurt and one person who was in one of the vehicles was killed, authorities said. The plane was said to going to Tijuana .
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Cottman Avenue at sunrise. Responders on scene through the night.
The Roosevelt Mall will be closed for some time, as barricades set up will keep out all but essential traffic. Some businesses remain open, and early Sunday morning, a man was observed setting up a cart to sell Eagles gear from the PC Richards parking lot. Cottman Avenue will be closed with no set time for re opening.
Debris traveled over a mile from the initial crash site. Should you find any, you are asked to email Th************@***la.gov“>Th************@***la.gov.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Firefighters at the scene of the plane crash Friday night. They are using an aerial device on a house that was damaged.
Much of the debris on Cottman Avenue like burnt out vehicles and airplane parts will be moved by front end loader. The cause has not been determined.