A small medical transport plane carrying six people, including a pediatric patient and her mother, tragically crashed on Friday evening near Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia shortly after takeoff, leading to multiple fatalities and significant injuries to people on the ground.
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when the aircraft went down around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. According to flight logs, the plane was airborne for less than one minute before its devastating descent.
The plane was transporting a young girl who had recently completed treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for serious medical issues. She was returning to her home country of Mexico accompanied by her mother and four crew members when disaster struck.
Witness accounts painted a horrifying picture of the crash. Jacques Joseph, who was just 200 yards from the impact site, recalled hearing what he thought was a gas explosion followed by seeing the enormous fireball erupt from the plane's strike. “I heard the explosion, ‘boom’, and then I saw the enormous fireball,” said Joseph, whose quick reflexes at the red light possibly saved his life.
Officials reported the crash site was marked by significant destruction. Video footage captured by local residents showed parts of the burning aircraft littered across the street, igniting several parked cars and sparking fears among onlookers. A gaping hole appeared in one nearby row house, leaving it charred and damaged.
The aftermath of the crash prompted major emergency responses, with multiple ambulances transporting injured individuals to hospitals. Temple University Hospital reported treating six patients, three of whom were evaluated and released, with three others remaining hospitalized yet stable. Some were bystanders caught within the chaos of flying debris.
At the crash site, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro both emphasized the need for community support. “This is a tragedy in our city – people have lost their lives and many injured from this horrific crash,” Mayor Parker stated during a press conference later on Friday night, urging the community to assist each other as first responders continued their life-saving efforts.
Governor Shapiro remarked on the commendable response of residents helping each other, noting, “Tonight we saw the best of Philly.” Emergency services were quick to set up perimeters around the crash, directing residents away from the site and opening shelters for those displaced by the events.
The plane crash raises significant concerns, particularly as it occurred just days after the deadliest aviation accident the United States has witnessed in over two decades. On January 29, 2025, the collision of an American Airlines passenger jet with an Army helicopter resulted in the loss of all lives involved. This conjunction of tragedies has alarmed both officials and the general public alike.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance released statements expressing their condolences for the victims and confirmed the aircraft was registered to and operated from Mexico. The company has emphasized their commitment to assisting all families affected. No names of the deceased or injured were disclosed immediately, pending communication with their family members.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have both initiated investigations to determine the causes of the crash, with numerous state troopers, PennDOT members, and emergency management personnel deployed to assist on-site.
Eyewitnesses described what they saw with shock and sadness. “All we heard was a loud roar and didn't know where it was coming from. We turned around and saw the big plume,” said eyewitness Jim Quinn, who witnessed the descent of the burning plane. Witnesses like Mikey, who was present at his workplace nearby, recounted the exploding sound and chaos following the crash. “Once I saw the big ball of fire, I came outside and started seeing plane pieces. It looked, honestly, like human remains,” he added, highlighting the gruesome realities of the situation.
Videos circulating on social media captured the moments leading to the crash and the immediate aftermath. The city of Philadelphia has set up roadblocks to divert traffic away from the Cottman Avenue location, where the destruction occurred, as cleanup and investigation continue.
Officials are prioritizing community safety and support as they navigate through this tragic event. Onlookers and local residents have been urged to report debris and avoid the impacted areas.
Philadelphia remains shaken following the tragedy, with families mourning the loss of life and the impact this crash has had on the wider community. The investigation will seek to determine what went wrong on what should have been a routine medical transport flight.