Medical plane carrying 6 patient crashes in northeast Philadelphia

Rescue workers work at the site of a plane crash in Philadelphia. January 31 | Photo: Reuters

A medical plane carrying six people, including a sick child, crashed near Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening. The Learjet 55 air ambulance took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri but went down shortly after takeoff. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft crashed around 6:30 PM local time, igniting several cars and a house. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but officials suspect poor weather conditions, including rain and limited visibility, may have contributed.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the plane’s operator, stated that four crew members and two passengers were on board. It remains unclear if there are any survivors. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed condolences and assured that emergency responders were working at the crash site.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker noted that the crash caused fires in multiple homes and vehicles. Local news footage showed the plane descending rapidly before impact.

This incident comes just three days after another tragic aviation disaster in Washington, D.C., where an American Airlines plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 on board. It marks one of the deadliest air accidents since 2009.

President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow over the Philadelphia crash, stating on social media that rescue efforts were ongoing. Federal and local officials continue to assess the damage and search for possible survivors.