A small medical transport plane carrying a child, her mother, and four others crashed in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, erupting in a fiery explosion near the Roosevelt Mall.
The Learjet 55 went down around 6:30 p.m. shortly after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, according to authorities.
Officials have not confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities. During a news conference, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker urged for patience and prayers, stating, "Right now, we're just asking for prayers."
Several homes and vehicles in the area sustained damage, prompting officials to advise residents to avoid the scene.
Shriner's Hospital revealed in a statement that the child had been receiving care at their Philadelphia facility and was being transported back to Mexico with her mother via a contracted air ambulance when the crash occurred.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company operating the flight, confirmed in a statement that four crew members were on board. "At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors," the statement read. The company expressed concern for the patient’s family, its crew members, and any victims on the ground.
The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, according to FlightRadar24 data.
The crash sparked a massive fire, drawing a substantial emergency response. Eyewitness Jimmy Weiss, speaking to WPVI, described hearing a "loud explosion" and seeing flames and smoke. "It felt like the ground shook," he added.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash. An NTSB investigator arrived Friday night, with additional team members expected Saturday.
Temple University Hospital reported receiving six patients from the crash. While it remains unclear whether they were passengers or individuals on the ground, three have been treated and released, while three others remain hospitalized in fair condition.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro praised first responders and community members during a briefing, highlighting their efforts. "We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another," he said.
Former President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy in a statement posted on Truth Social, expressing condolences and commending first responders. "So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged... God Bless you all," he wrote.
As investigations continue, authorities and the community remain focused on supporting those affected by this devastating incident.
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