Small medevac jet carrying pediatric patient crashes near Philadelphia mall, unleashing fireball with multiple casualties reported
A small medevac jet carrying six people, including a pediatric patient and her mother, crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday, resulting in multiple casualties and causing a massive explosion that lit up the night sky.
A Learjet 55 out of Northeast Philadelphia Airport was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it plunged to the ground shortly after taking off, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The child had just received “life-saving treatment” and was heading home to Mexico with her mother, a doctor, paramedic, pilot and copilot, Shai Gold, spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company that owns the aircraft, told The Post.
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors,” Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said in a statement.
“It was just horrific,” one eyewitness told WPVI, describing the crash as “Earthquakish.”
“I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky light up and I pulled over and basically, it was just real bad around here. It lit up the whole sky.”
Here is the latest on the Philadelphia medevac jet crash
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- Young girl killed in Philadelphia plane crash mourned by hospital staff — who threw her farewell party just hours before tragedy: ‘Unthinkable’
- Philadelphia medical jet crash was ‘like a horror movie,’ shocked residents say
- Man sitting in restaurant gets hit in the head by debris from Philadelphia plane crash
- All six victims of Philly plane crash were Mexican citizens, Mexican president says
- Medical jet crash left ‘huge’ hole in Philadelphia house, ‘sounded like a bomb went off’: witnesses
- Dashcam, doorbell footage captures horrifying moment medevac jet crashed in Philadelphia neighborhood
- Chilling audio reveals final moments before Philadelphia plane crash: ‘We have a lost aircraft’
- Medevac plane crash victim ID’d as young girl headed home to Mexico after ‘life-saving treatment’ in US
- Small medevac jet carrying pediatric patient crashes near Philadelphia mall, unleashing fireball with multiple casualties reported
Flight data showed the small jet taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and reaching an altitude of 1,625 feet before plummeting a minute later, according to FlightRadar24.
The plane went down in a residential area near Cottoman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard – just over three miles from the airport – and caused a large explosion that set multiple homes and cars on fire, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said.
“As of right now, we have no reports on the number of fatalities,” Parker told reporters Friday night.
“So right now, we’re just asking for prayers for any and everyone who may have been affected.”
Mass casualties have been reported, Philadelphia Councilman Mike Driscoll posted on X.
“So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
Air traffic control reported a “lost aircraft” around the time of the crash.
“We’re not exactly sure what happened, so we’re trying to figure it out for now,” air traffic control said minutes later, according to audio footage.
“The field is going to be closed, so no inbounds or outbounds.”
At least six people not on the plane were hospitalized with injuries – three were treated and released, with three others listed in stable condition, officials told Fox29.
Video footage captured a large fireball erupting after the plane nose–dived, according to footage captured by Fox29.
Other footage obtained by the outlet captured heavy smoke in the area with debris sprawled in the parking lot off the nearby Roosevelt Mall as local police and fire responded to the scene.
A metal piece of debris also flew through the window of a diner located a half-mile from the crash site and hit a patron in the head. Cardboard was seen covering the hole at the Cottman Avenue restaurant, Fox29 reported.
It remains unclear what led to the crash that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called an “awful aviation disaster.”
“We know that there will be loss in this region and we want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those who are grieving at this moment.”
An FAA spokesperson told The Post the agency will investigate with the National Transportation Safety Board.
The latest crash comes just days after a military helicopter collided with an American Airlines midair over Washington, DC, taking the lives of 67 people.
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