Philadelphia plane crash: Fire erupts after air ambulance ‘carrying child patient’ smashes into neighbourhood
A medical transport aircraft carrying six Mexican nationals, including a young patient from Shriners Hospital, has crashed in a residential area of Philadelphia after taking off on Friday evening.
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, went down shortly after departing Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
The aircraft burst into flames upon impact, causing extensive damage in the residential neighbourhood, with emergency services rushing to the scene.
Doorbell camera footage captured the jet plummeting from the sky before exploding in a massive fireball less than a minute after takeoff.
Flight data revealed the aircraft had reached an altitude of 1,650 feet before experiencing a catastrophic vertical drop of -11,008 feet per minute.
Air traffic control audio obtained by CNN documented the final moments, with controllers attempting to contact the aircraft: “Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency?”
After receiving no response, controllers declared: “We have a lost aircraft.”
The six people aboard included a young patient who had received treatment at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia and her mother, who were returning to Tijuana, Mexico.
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Four crew members were also on the aircraft, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico confirming all occupants were Mexican nationals.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said in a statement: “At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified.”
The company expressed immediate concern “for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground”.
The aircraft struck several buildings and vehicles in the residential area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker was unable to confirm the number of fatalities from the crash.
Parker urged residents to remain indoors whilst emergency crews worked at the crash site.
Police sources reported several injuries on the ground, though the exact number of casualties remained unclear.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management advised locals to avoid the area as emergency services battled the flames from the collision.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance spokesman Shai Gold told NBC Philadelphia they believe there were no survivors from the aircraft.
“The patient was sponsored by a third-partner charity to undergo life-saving treatment in the US She did her course of care. She was going home,” Gold said.
Shriners Hospitals for Children confirmed the young patient had been in their care, stating: “The patient had received care from Shriners Childrens Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico on a contracted air ambulance when the crash happened.”
The hospital expressed condolences to the families of the medical crew and pilots.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced on social media that he had spoken with Philadelphia’s mayor and his team was in communication with police, emergency management and fire services.
“We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” Shapiro posted on X.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy briefed President Donald Trump on the incident.
Trump later posted on Truth Social: “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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the crash, with NTSB taking the lead role.
This incident comes just days after an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter over Washington DC.
All 67 people on board the plane and helicopter died.