A small plane crashed on Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia on the evening of January 31, leaving behind chaos and destruction as it hit houses and cars. Eyewitness reports indicate multiple fatalities, creating significant alarm among the local community.
According to local resident Robleito Andrade de Souza, who nearly lost his home, the incident occurred around 6:10 PM local time. Andrade recalled, "It’s on fire, all over the avenue... The aircraft fell almost on my house. I was at my computer when I heard the noise." Eyewitnesses described seeing flames rise high, with Andrade recounting how the plane struck several vehicles on the busy street during rush hour.
Another witness, Marília Aparecida da Silva, narrowly escaped being hit when the plane crashed near her. She recalled, "I was street-side when it fell almost right in front of me. A car hit the pole. The sky turned completely orange. I saw ambulances rushing past me right after the explosion. I ran away immediately." Reports from local media suggested initial figures indicating as many as 12 fatalities, but officials later confirmed six deaths.
José Luiz Neto Filho, another Brazilian resident nearby, also witnessed the horrifying scene. "A ball of fire shot up, and I figured it was a plane. The ground shook at the moment. I ran toward the scene and saw horror. It was unsettling. There were multiple videos of bodies scattered around," he shared. The plane fell next to an outlet mall, impacting many vehicles and construction areas. Neto expressed concern for the large Brazilian community, indicating, "There are many Brazilians around here; it’s heartbreaking."
Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, reported on the crash, stating it had caused significant destruction and injuries on the ground. "Preliminary reports indicate there may have been several fatalities," he said. The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 55, was reportedly engaged on a medical transport flight and was carrying six individuals: two pilots, two physicians, a patient, and one family member. They were en route to Springfield, Missouri, after departing from a smaller airport.
Federal authorities noted the plane took off at approximately 6:07 PM, with the first fire department alerts occurring at 6:12 PM, shortly before the crash around 6:30 PM. Eyewitnesses described treacherous conditions for flying, with heavy rain, wind, and low visibility present at the time.
Social media circulated harrowing footage showing the moment of the crash alongside the subsequent fire engulfing the scene. "The ground shook, and then I saw flames everywhere," remarked Neto. Videos show emergency responders rushing to manage the inferno, with parts of the aircraft scattered across the impacted area, leaving many residents shaken by the terrifying event.
The crash occurred just two days after another tragic aviation disaster when a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter over Washington, D.C., which took the lives of 67 people. The recent frequency of air incidents has raised questions about transportation safety protocols, prompting significant discourse about regulatory measures and emergency preparedness.
Federal Aviation Administration representatives have stated they will conduct a comprehensive investigation of the accident.
Shapiro confirmed, "All state resources are available for local emergency management responsiveness, and we will provide support as needed." The community is rallying together, grappling with the emotional weight of the event and waiting for more information on the victims and circumstances surrounding the crash. The horrific scenes left many reflecting on the randomness of tragedy and urging for improvements to aviation safety and emergency response capabilities.