Philadelphia, PA — A medical transport jet, carrying a child patient, her mother, and four crew members, crashed in Northeast Philadelphia late Friday evening, igniting a massive fireball and causing significant damage to nearby homes and vehicles. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. near the Roosevelt Mall, just moments after the plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The jet, identified as a Learjet 55, was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it met its tragic fate. According to reports, the aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, crashing into a residential and retail area. The impact was so severe that it set several homes ablaze and resulted in an explosion that could be seen across the city.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are actively investigating the cause of this catastrophic event. The plane was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, based in Mexico with operations in the U.S. The company confirmed that the flight included four crew members along with the pediatric patient and her mother, who were returning to Mexico after the child received life-saving treatment in Philadelphia.
Local authorities, including Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have acknowledged the severity of the situation. Mayor Parker has urged residents to avoid the area and has not yet confirmed the number of fatalities, stating only that several structures and cars were impacted by the crash. Governor Shapiro has pledged state resources to assist in the response and recovery efforts.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos with debris scattered across the intersection near the crash site. The presence of a thick plume of smoke and the sound of a massive explosion were reported by those in the vicinity. Emergency services responded swiftly, but the extent of injuries or deaths, both on the ground and potentially aboard the plane, remains unclear at this time.
The tragedy in Philadelphia follows closely on the heels of another significant aviation incident, highlighting a somber week for U.S. air travel safety. The community is in mourning, with officials and residents alike calling for prayers for those affected by this devastating crash.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities will look into factors such as weather conditions at the time, which included light rain and fog, and the overall mechanical integrity of the aircraft. The NTSB will lead the investigation, promising to provide updates as they gather more information.