A Learjet 55 medical transport plane crashed in a fiery explosion near a busy Philadelphia shopping mall on Friday evening, resulting in at least seven deaths and numerous injuries. The aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Onboard were a pediatric patient, her mother, and four crew members, all of whom perished in the crash. One bystander on the ground also died as a result of the ensuing fire and debris field. At least 19 others sustained injuries, with the final toll still uncertain, as reported by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. Temple University Hospital treated six individuals, three of whom were released, while three remain hospitalized in fair condition. One firefighter was also hospitalized for respiratory issues.
The impact, captured on numerous videos circulating on social media, shows the plane exploding upon impact, igniting a large fire that damaged nearby vehicles, homes, and businesses. Witnesses described a horrific scene, with one recounting seeing a person on fire. Debris was scattered across a wide area, prompting Mayor Parker to urge residents to avoid the area and to not touch any debris. A shelter was opened at Samuel Fels High School. Shriners Hospital for Children, where the child patient had received care, expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, both those on board and those affected on the ground. The hospital confirmed the child was being transported back to her home in Mexico with her mother.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched investigations into the cause of the crash. Authorities are collecting evidence, including video footage and flight data, to determine what led to the accident. Former Marine One commander and pilot Ron Alvarado highlighted the challenging nature of medical transport flights and emphasized the importance of thoroughly analyzing all available information to understand the events leading up to the crash. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro commended the first responders for their swift action and deployed state resources to support the ongoing response and investigation, including personnel from the Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, PEMA, and the Department of Environmental Protection. The FAA immediately implemented a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport following the incident.
The tragedy occurred just two days after a separate fatal midair collision in Washington D.C., involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, which resulted in no survivors. This proximity in time has raised concerns about the unusually high number of aviation incidents. President Trump also issued a statement expressing condolences and acknowledging the first responders’ efforts. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected as the investigation progresses.