by Dan Doyle | DelawareValleyNews.com
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A solemn memorial brought together grieving families, neighbors, first responders, and city leaders Saturday as Philadelphia marked one year since a medical transport plane crashed along Cottman Avenue, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 others.
The ceremony took place Saturday evening January 31, 2026, inside Philadelphia Fire Station 71, the first fire station to respond to the devastating crash in Northeast Philadelphia on January 31, 2025. The medical jet went down shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, striking vehicles and buildings in a busy commercial corridor and triggering a massive fireball that stunned the surrounding community.
Mayor Cherelle Parker joined residents and emergency personnel to honor the victims, including those aboard the aircraft and people on the ground caught in the destruction. City officials highlighted the courage and swift actions of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who rushed into dangerous conditions to rescue survivors and secure the scene.
Speakers reflected on the resilience of the neighborhood and the long recovery process that followed the tragedy. While physical rebuilding has largely been completed, many residents said the emotional wounds from that night remain.
The memorial concluded with a moment of silence and the laying of flowers, as attendees reaffirmed their commitment to remembering the lives lost and the unity shown by the city in the wake of one of Philadelphia’s deadliest aviation disasters.