A medical evacuation jet carrying a pediatric patient and her mother crashed into a neighbourhood in northeast Philadelphia, United States, on Friday night, igniting a massive explosion, authorities confirmed. Footage from the scene captured the aftermath of the fiery wreckage.
The twin-engine Learjet 55, which had six people on board, went down shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration as reported by CNN.
The aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was transporting a young patient and her mother back home to Mexico following medical treatment in Philadelphia, Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold stated.
The doomed flight was bound for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri for a scheduled refueling stop before continuing to Tijuana, Mexico, the FAA noted.
Alongside the mother and child, the plane carried four crew members: a pilot, co-pilot, paramedic, and doctor. All six individuals aboard were Mexican nationals, Mexico’s foreign ministry confirmed.
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors,” the air ambulance service said in a statement.
Data from ADS-B Exchange showed that after taking off just after 6 p.m. ET, the jet climbed to 1,650 feet before rapidly plummeting. The final descent rate was recorded at 11,000 feet per minute.
A chilling exchange between air traffic control and the plane was captured on LiveATC.net. “Medevac med service, northeast tower. Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency?” a controller was heard calling out.
Moments later, the controller grimly announced, “We have a lost aircraft.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that multiple homes and vehicles were impacted. However, the exact number of fatalities remained unclear.
According to CNN affiliate KYW, injuries on the ground were reported, though specific details were not immediately available.
Jet Rescue stated that names of those involved would be withheld until families had been informed.
“Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground. More information will be released as it becomes available.”
The jet, which bore the registration markings of Mexico, displayed “Jet Rescue” branding along with medical insignia on its tail and wingtips.
Video footage from CNN affiliate WPVI showed intense flames and a thick column of smoke billowing as firefighters battled the blaze.
Philadelphia Fire Department later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control.
Authorities shut down roads near Cottman and Bustleton avenues due to the severity of the crash, the city’s emergency management department announced.
Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which was temporarily closed following the incident, has since resumed operations.
Roosevelt Mall, located across the street from the crash site, was evacuated as a precaution, mall spokesperson Kristen Moore said.
Fortunately, no injuries or structural damage occurred at the shopping center.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro pledged full state support for the ongoing emergency response.
More than 45 state troopers, along with personnel from the state’s emergency management and transportation departments, were deployed to the scene. Shapiro added that environmental officials were monitoring for hazardous materials.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation, with federal investigators now on-site, US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the crash, Duffy announced on X.
“So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job.”
The tragic accident comes amid another aviation disaster under investigation—Wednesday’s fatal collision over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The crash, which occurred about 150 miles northeast in the Washington, DC area, involved 64 passengers on the jet and three soldiers aboard the helicopter, all presumed dead.
Eyewitness Accounts
Mikey Littlejohn, who witnessed the crash, described seeing “a big ball of flames in the sky.” He told WPVI, “Literally, we heard a loud, loud bang. It shook the entire building, the whole building shook.”
Another witness, Vadim Osipov, likened the experience to war zones in Ukraine, where he is from.
“There’s always rockets coming in and stuff like that, then I see things flying,” he said.
Governor Shapiro called the event “an awful aviation disaster” but commended the swift response from emergency crews.
“We saw neighbor helping neighbor,” he said. “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.”
Authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage to homes. Mayor Parker assured affected residents that shelter options are available.
Meanwhile, Red Cross Philadelphia confirmed that a team of disaster relief workers is assisting displaced residents.
Senator Dave McCormick stated he is “closely monitoring the tragic situation” and has contacted local officials to provide necessary support.
