Fire and emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where several structures were ablaze.
Another tragic aviation accident unfolded in Northeast Philadelphia Friday night, when a medical transport jet crashed shortly after takeoff, engulfing homes and vehicles in flames. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was carrying six individuals, including four crew members, a pediatric patient, and her mother, when it crashed near the Roosevelt Mall around 6:30 p.m. local time after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The aircraft was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, with the ultimate destination being Tijuana, Mexico, for the child who had received life-saving treatment in Philadelphia. The patient was a girl, and her treatment was sponsored by an international charity, according to Shai Gold, a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.
Immediate chaos ensued as the plane plummeted, creating a massive fireball visible across the neighborhood. Eyewitness accounts described the scene vividly. One witness told WPVI-TV, "I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up and I pulled over and basically, it was just real bad around here," likening the impact to an earthquake. Another described seeing "a massive fireball" that turned the sky orange, with Ryan Tian stating, "I thought we were getting attacked by something."
Fire and emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where several structures were ablaze, and there were reports of injuries. Temple University Hospital received six patients from the incident, with three treated and released, and three others remaining in fair condition. The crash also affected people on the ground, with at least one firefighter hospitalized due to breathing issues.
The exact number of fatalities and injuries was not immediately clear. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, addressing the public, noted, "Right now, we're just asking for prayers," and confirmed that multiple homes and vehicles were impacted. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed support, stating, "We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have announced they will investigate the cause of the crash. The weather at the time was cold and rainy with low visibility, which might have been a contributing factor to the accident.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance issued a statement lamenting the incident, noting, "At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors," and expressing concern for all affected parties, including the patient's family and those potentially hurt on the ground.
The crash has stirred significant community response and media coverage, with various outlets reporting on the developing situation. President Donald Trump also commented on the incident via social media, stating, "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."
This incident marks another in a series of recent aviation tragedies, following closely after a midair collision over Washington, D.C., which was the deadliest in over 15 years.
