Roberto Marquez, from Dallas, Texas, sets up a vigil for those who lost their lives when a Learjett55 medical plane crashed last week at the intersection of Cottman Ave. and Bustleton Ave. in Northeast Philadelphia on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
City officials are checking the structural integrity of all businesses in the expansive zone where a medical transport plane crashed last Friday, and if they are deemed safe, the businesses can reopen Wednesday.
Cottman Ave. is also scheduled to reopen Wednesday, with the specific area of the impact crater still remaining barricaded.
Work crews were on the scene overnight on Tuesday to do a final cleanup for the reopening of the area for the reopening. However, several side streets will remain closed from traffic and public access for the time being.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wrapped up it's investigation of the crash site on Tuesday. The Roosevelt Mall is scheduled to reopen at Noon.
Work crews remove one of the engines from a home after the plane crash in Philly. Credit: @deek_nice https://t.co/5yYcHkCgaj
— PhillyDaily (@PhillyDailyOnX) February 5, 2025
Friday's crash resulted in seven fatalities and 24 injuries reported so far, but those numbers could rise as forensic teams finish processing all the samples collected from the crash site.
A memorial at the site has been set up and is growing by the day. Two flags, one American and one Mexican hang side-by-side to honor the victims of the crash. Six of the seven announced fatalities were Mexican nationals aboard the plane. They were transporting an 11-year-old patient back to Mexico after her life-saving treatment at Shriner's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.
At the memorial is also a mural painted by a Mexican artist who lives in Texas but made the pilgrimage to Philadelphia to memorialize the victims.
Wednesday night promises to be busy in the community. Mayor Cherelle Parker is hosting a community town hall related to the crash at Solise Cohen Elementary School at 7PM. This will be preceded by a candlelight vigil at the memorial on Cottman and Bustelton Avenues beginning at 6PM.
