Six people were reportedly onboard, including two pilots, two doctors, a child patient, and an escort for the patient.
A tragic aviation accident occurred in Northeast Philadelphia Friday evening as a medical transport plane crashed near the Roosevelt Mall. The Learjet 55, registered to Med Jets, had just departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft lost radar contact approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, having reached an altitude of about 1,600 feet.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the plane descended rapidly, resulting in a massive explosion upon impact. The crash ignited multiple homes and vehicles, sending plumes of smoke into the evening sky. One witness recounted, “It was just horrific. I was just driving down the street… and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up.”
Initial reports from the FAA indicated that two individuals were on board the aircraft. However, subsequent information from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that there were six occupants, including the pilot, medical personnel, and a child patient. Tragically, all on board are presumed to have perished in the crash.
The aftermath of the crash saw several residents in the vicinity sustaining burn injuries, with some requiring hospitalization. The Philadelphia Fire Department responded swiftly, advising residents to avoid the area around Calvert and St. Vincent streets as emergency personnel worked to control the fires and secure the scene.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said that state resources were being mobilized to assist in the response. He stated that his team was in communication with local officials and first responders to provide necessary support.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched inquiries to determine the factors leading to this tragic incident. This disaster comes on the heels of another aviation tragedy just days prior, where a midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities.
