Crime & Safety

NTSB Finishes On-Site Work After Philly Plane Crash

Philadelphia's Managing Director Adam Thiel said National Transportation Safety Board investigators have left the city.

Investigators work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
Investigators work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA — Federal investigators have left Philadelphia as the probe into Friday's deadly plane crash continues.

Philadelphia's Managing Director Adam Thiel said National Transportation Safety Board investigators have left the city after completing their on-site work at the Northeast Philadelphia crash site.

A representative for the National Transportation Safety Board said investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder, also known as the "black box," of the Learjet 55 that crashed at 6:06 p.m. Friday. The black box was found at the site of initial impact, at a depth of 8 feet, officials said. Also recovered was the airplane’s enhanced ground proximity warning system, which could also contain flight data.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Investigators also recovered both of the plane's engines. Wreckage will be sent to a secure location in Delaware for further examination, while the black box and enhanced ground proximity warning system will be sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for evaluation.

However, Thiel said the investigation will still take days, or weeks, to complete.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The forensics investigation is ongoing, with Thiel saying those processes are moving off site as the city works to resume normal activity in the crash area. He went on to say the entire number of victims or casualties won't be known until the forensic investigation is completed.

On Monday, officials said 24 people have been confirmed hurt. Four of those people are hospitalized, and two of them are in critical condition.

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Numerous city agencies are working to clean and clear the area to ensure thorough damage assessment to infrastructure nearby.

The structural integrity of commercial and residential properties in the area is being examined, as well. Officials said a mix of about 366 residential and commercial properties in the area have been assessed for damage.

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City officials are hosting a town hall regarding the crash and resources for those impacted at 7 p.m. Wednesday at S. Solis-Cohen Elementary School, 7001 Horrocks St.

Below are important phone numbers for those impacted by the crash:

  • Shelter — 800-733-2767
  • PECO — 800-841-4141
  • PGW — 215-235-1212
  • Philadelphia Water Department — 215-685-6300
  • Mental Health Help — 215-685-6440
  • Community Engagement — 215-873-3743
  • Bishop Wilfred Speakes — 267-246-8677
  • Imam Quaiser Abdullah — 215-823-9782
  • Business Support — 215-683-2100

Residents affected by the crash can text RECOVERPHL to 888-777 to get the latest updates and information sent straight to their phones.

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