The two pilots involved in the Pennsylvania plane crash and a doctor that was on board have been named after the tragic incident killed all six on board, including a young girl.
The Learjet 55 aircraft was piloted by Alan Montoya and co-pilot Josué Juárez as they flew the unnamed girl who had received ‘life-saving care’ from a Philadelphia hospital on Friday evening back home to Mexico.
Doctor Raúl Meza was also on board, according to a post on X by Mexican emergency service XE Médica Ambulancia.
The pilots, according to outlet Milenio, worked for the Jet Rescue company and were also transporting the girl’s mother.
‘At the moment we know that our head of neonatology, Dr Raúl Meza, was part of the crew of the XA-UCI air ambulance belonging to another company where Dr. Meza also provides his professional services,’ XE Médica Ambulancia wrote.
The service added that Dr. Meza had studied medicine at UNAM and graduated as a pediatrician and neonatologist from the National Insitute of Pediatrics and is a physician assigned to the NICU at ISEM Atizapán.
The identification of three out of six victims comes just a few hours after chilling audio between the plane and air traffic controller emerged.
In the minutes leading up to the crash, an air traffic controller was heard speaking with the doomed air ambulance, including asking the pilot ‘what frequency’ they were on.
Social media debated the next part of their conversation, as sharp-eared listeners said they could hear one side saying the other was ‘talking with the wrong people.’
A few seconds after that remark, an ominous moan could be heard coming from what several social media users believed was the cockpit.
Officials have not revealed what caused the crash, and an investigation is ongoing.
After a brief pause, another dispatcher asked, ‘What’s going on down there?’ to which another the air traffic controller answered: ‘We have a lost aircraft.’
‘We’re not exactly sure what happened, we’re trying to figure it out,’ they added. ‘For now, the field is going to be closed.’
The Learjet 55, often used for critical medical transport, is a lifeline for patients like the young girl who was onboard.
The girl, who is from Mexico, was a patient of Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, the hospital confirmed.
In a statement, the hospital said: ‘The patient had received care from Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico on a contracted air ambulance when the crash happened.
‘Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event – as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground – and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action.’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico confirmed that all people onboard were Mexican nationals.
Flightradar data shows the plane had reached an altitude of 1,650 feet before reporting a vertical drop of 11,008 feet per minute.
With sponsorship from a third-party charity, the girl had traveled to the US for urgent medical care that had given her another chance at life.
‘I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia. The consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families,’ Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed on social media that he had briefed President Trump on the incident.
That was before President Trump posted on Truth Social saying; ‘So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost.
‘Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.’
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash, with the NTSB spearheading the probe.
The crash comes just days after an American Airlines passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter over Washington DC.
All 67 people in both the helicopter and the plane perished in the horrific midair collision.