PHILADELPHIA, Pa - A small medevac jet with six individuals on board, among them a pediatric patient and her mother, crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday, leading to multiple casualties and triggering a massive explosion that lit up the night sky.
Just days earlier, a military helicopter collided with an American Airlines midair over Washington, DC, taking the lives of 67 people.
The Learjet 55, which departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed shortly after takeoff, 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.
The aircraft crashed in a residential neighborhood near Cottoman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, slightly more than three miles from the airport, resulting in a significant explosion that ignited several homes and vehicles
“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.”
According to FlightRadar24, the flight data indicated that the small jet departed from the airport at 6:06 p.m., climbed to an altitude of 1,625 feet, and then descended rapidly a minute later.
The aircraft crashed in a residential neighborhood near Cottoman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, slightly more than three miles from the airport, resulting in a significant explosion that ignited several homes and vehicles, according to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.
“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.
On Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,”
“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.”
At the time of the crash, air traffic control reported a “lost aircraft.”
“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 individuals not aboard the plane were hospitalized due to injuries—three received treatment and were discharged, while the other three are in stable condition, officials informed Fox29.
Additional footage acquired by the outlet showed thick smoke in the vicinity, with debris scattered in the parking area near Roosevelt Mall as local police and firefighters arrived at the scene.
A motorists captured this on his phone
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 - Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called it 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.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of all those involved.
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