PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio/AP) — A medical transport jet with a child patient, her mother and four crew members aboard crashed in Philadelphia on Friday about 30 seconds after taking off, setting homes ablaze, strewing debris and rattling residents after the second air disaster in as many days.
The Federal Aviation Administration says a Learjet 55 crashed near Cottman Avenue by the Roosevelt Mall around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights. The plane was heading to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
Jet Rescue owns the plane and provides global air ambulance services. It said all six people aboard were from Mexico.
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According to our news partners at NBC10, the child had been treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition and was being transported home to Mexico. The flight’s final destination was Tijuana after a stop in Missouri.
Shai Gold, a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance spokesperson said this was a seasoned crew and that everyone involved in these flights goes through rigorous training.
“When an incident like this happens, it’s shocking and surprising,” Gold told The Associated Press. “All of the aircraft are maintained, not a penny is spared because we know our mission is so critical.”
“We cannot confirm any survivors,” the company said in a statement. “Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
In a statement to our news partners NBC10, Shriners Children’s said they are "heartbroken to confirm that one of our pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia this evening."
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event - as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground - and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action.”
In an 8:30 p.m. update, Mayor Cherelle Parker said no information about the number of casualties on the ground was immediately available.
According to reports, the plane disappeared from radar after taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet.
Video: After the crash
Fire officials called for a mass casualty response.
According to NBC10, at least three homes caught on fire near the intersection of St. Vincent and Calvert streets. Some cars erupted in flames. Power is reportedly out in the surrounding neighborhood. Officials urge residents to stay away from the scene of the crash, and anyone who sees debris is advised to call 911.
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Hundreds of officers and response teams are working to get the situation under control. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is also at the scene. All entrances to the mall are blocked off.
Shaq works at Steve’s Prince of Steaks along Bustleton Avenue, a block from the reported crash.
“The whole wall in the store started, like, completely rumbling, like shaking like aggressively,” he said. “Someone came into the store and said they saw a bright flashing light from the from the sky and then a huge sound and immediately a huge burst of flames happened right down at Cottman … the mini-mall that's right there.”
Cottman Avenue and a portion of Roosevelt Boulevard are shutdown. People are advised to avoid the area.
Parker said residents who have been displaced as a result of the crash can seek shelter at Samuel Fels High School at 5500 Langdon Street.
"Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and everyone affected by this tragedy," Parker said.
Michael Schiavone, 37, was sitting at his home in Mayfair when he heard a loud bang and his house shook. He said it felt like a mini earthquake and when he checked his home security camera footage, he said it looked like a missile was coming down.
“There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second,” he said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro says his team is in communication with the Police Department, Office of Emergency Services, and Fire Department.
"We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly," Shapiro said.
Congressman Brendan Boyle called the crash "devastating" and said his heart goes out to the victims.
The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation. The NTSB, which investigates air crashes, said it was gathering information about the crash.
The Philadelphia crash was the second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue, according to The Associated Press. In 2023 five crewmembers were killed when their plane overran a runway in the central Mexican state of Morelos and crashed into a hillside.
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KYW Newsradio reporters are at the scene. Stay with KYW as this story develops.