A small medical transport plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, setting homes and vehicles ablaze and injuring people on the ground. The jet, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was on a medical transport mission carrying four crew members, a child patient, and the patient’s escort.
What Happened?
The Learjet 55 took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport around 18:30 local time and crashed less than four miles (6.4 km) away. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with fiery debris, burning structures, and injured people. The crash occurred near the Roosevelt Mall, a densely populated area filled with terraced housing and shops.
Videos and photos from the scene show a massive fireball and burning debris scattered across the streets. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing the sky light up. One resident described the crash as feeling like an earthquake.
Who Was on Board?
The plane was carrying:
- A child patient receiving treatment in the US for a life-threatening condition
- The child’s mother
- A pilot and copilot
- A doctor and paramedic
Shai Gold, a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, confirmed the child was returning to Tijuana, Mexico, after receiving care sponsored by a third-party charity. “She fought quite a lot to survive, and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home,” he said.
Ground Injuries and Damage
While the exact number of fatalities is unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described the incident as an “awful aviation disaster” and acknowledged there would be loss of life. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker urged residents to avoid the area and report debris to authorities.
The crash caused significant damage to nearby homes and vehicles, with burning debris and shrapnel littering the streets. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to extinguish fires and assist those injured.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports indicated two people were on board, but this was later revised to six.
According to FlightAware, the plane was operated by Med Jets and had arrived in Philadelphia from Florida less than four hours before the crash.
Community Response
The Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia issued a notice on X (formerly Twitter) for Mexican nationals affected by the incident to contact a helpline. Mayor Parker asked for prayers for everyone impacted by the tragedy.
Recent Aviation Tragedies
This crash comes just two days after a deadly collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter in Washington, DC, which is believed to have killed all 67 people on board. The Philadelphia incident adds to a somber week for aviation safety in the US.
