A medical transport Learjet 55 crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, resulting in a devastating loss of life and widespread injuries. The plane, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Onboard were six individuals: a pediatric patient, her mother, and four crew members. Tragically, all six perished in the fiery crash near the Roosevelt Mall around 6:10 p.m.
The impact caused a significant explosion, scattering debris across a large area and damaging buildings and vehicles. The resulting fire inflicted further devastation, with multiple injuries reported among those on the ground. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced at a Saturday morning press conference that one person on the ground had died, and at least 19 others sustained injuries, emphasizing that these numbers could change. The extent of the injuries remains unspecified, and a full accounting of casualties may take days.
Shriners Hospital for Children confirmed that the child passenger had received treatment at their Philadelphia facility and was being transported back to her home country of Mexico with her mother. The hospital expressed its profound sorrow for the loss of the crew and the victims on the ground, commending the swift response of first responders. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance released a statement confirming the presence of four crew members and expressing concern for the families of all those involved.
Multiple videos captured the moment of impact, showing the plane plunging to the ground in a fiery explosion. Witnesses described a horrific scene, with intense flames, widespread damage, and reports of individuals suffering from burns. One witness recounted seeing a woman on fire. Temple University Hospital reported receiving six patients, some with burn injuries, though their exact origin (plane or ground) remains unclear. Three were treated and released, and three remained hospitalized in fair condition. At least one firefighter also required hospitalization for respiratory issues.
The immediate aftermath saw a large-scale emergency response, with police and fire crews establishing a perimeter and directing residents away from the scene. Mayor Parker urged residents to avoid the area, not to touch any debris, and to utilize a shelter established at Samuel Fels High School. Governor Josh Shapiro joined a subsequent press conference, praising the efforts of first responders and confirming the deployment of state and federal resources, including teams from the FAA and NTSB. President Trump also issued a statement expressing condolences.
The FAA instituted a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport following the incident. Aviation experts, like former Marine One commander Ron Alvarado, emphasized the importance of gathering all available evidence, including video footage and flight communications, to determine the cause of the crash. The incident occurred just two days after a separate fatal mid-air collision, prompting concerns about the unusually close proximity of two major aviation disasters.