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The small Learjet 55 plane, which had six people on board, crashed on Friday night, January 31.
Newly released audio recordings have shed light on the final moments before an air ambulance flying from Northeast Philadelphia Airport in the US to Mexico crashed over Pennsylvania.
In the few minutes before the incident, air traffic controllers were heard communicating with the aircraft, at one point asking the pilot, “what frequency” they were on. Moments later, a chilling moan was captured in the recording, which presumably came from the cockpit. Officials have not confirmed any details about the source of the sound.
Following a brief pause, an air traffic controller asked, “What's going on down there?” Another dispatcher responded, “We have a lost aircraft,” adding, “We're not exactly sure what happened, we're trying to figure it out. For now, the field is going to be closed.”
As the chilling audio circulated online, reactions poured in, with many fixated on the eerie moan heard just moments before the Philadelphia crash. One person was deeply unsettled, writing, “Someone can definitely be heard letting out a ‘moan' in the released audio of the plane that crashed in Philadelphia very disturbing.”
One person confirmed hearing it too, “I heard the moan.” Another listener pointed out the timing, “Moaning sound not long after that.” The sound had a visceral effect on one user, who admitted, “The moan made my stomach turn and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. What on earth happened on that plane?!”
One particularly observant listener referenced a specific moment in the recording, “I hear it. It sounds like he is basically scared to death and let out a moan the type right before you start to cry @1:04 of the recording [sic].”
Another user has a powerful reaction, penning, “That's haunting.” And for one user, the eerie moment was physically unsettling, as they shared, “I got goosebumps.”
As of the time of publication, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and are determined to find its cause. None of the six people on board the aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, survived the crash.
One of them was a young pediatric patient who was traveling back to Mexico after having just undergone life-saving medical treatment in the US. Shai Gold, a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, confirmed the tragic news, sharing that the young girl had bravely battled her illness.
“She did her course of care. She was going home. She fought quite a lot to survive, and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home,” said Gold. Shriners Children's Philadelphia confirmed that the young girl was their patient but refrained from sharing further details due to privacy concerns.
Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children's Hospital Philadelphia, noted, “It's extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today.”
Bower said that the young girl likely enjoyed her end-of-treatment celebration earlier on Friday. She spoke of the staff's dedication to making the hospital a joyful and welcoming place for patients such as the girl.
The girl's mother, along with a pilot, co-pilot, doctor, and paramedic, each committed to ensuring her safe return, were also on board the aircraft. However, in a heartbreaking turn of events, the journey ended in tragedy.
Shriners Children's Philadelphia extended their condolences to the families of the medical crew, pilots, and those affected on the ground. The hospital also expressed gratitude to first responders for their swift actions.
The air ambulance was en route to Tijuana, Mexico, with a planned stop at Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. Shortly after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and crashed into a densely populated area in northern Philadelphia at around 6:30 p.m.
An eye witness shared that the impact near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard sparked a “big ball of fire,” engulfing nearby buildings and vehicles in flames. Another person who witnessed the crash noted that a gas station was shaking and debris started flying all over when the aircraft came down.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said on February 1 that officers and responders worked on the crash site throughout the night.
She confirmed that six lives on board the plane were lost as well as one person who was in a car when the aircraft crashed. Parker added that 19 people were injured in the incident and were being treated in local hospitals.
