4 min readFeb 2, 2025 01:45 AM IST
First published on: Feb 1, 2025 at 09:18 AM IST
A medical transport jet carrying six individuals, including a young patient and her mother, crashed into a residential area in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, resulting in a fiery explosion that claimed the lives of all on board and one person on the ground. Nineteen others sustained injuries. The aircraft, a Learjet 55, went down just 30 seconds after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
“This is still an active scene under investigation,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press conference on Friday night. Several homes and vehicles were damaged in the crash.
A doorbell camera captured the moment the plane fell from the sky in a streak of white before hitting the ground and erupting into a fireball. “All we heard was a loud roar and didn’t know where it was coming from. We just turned around and saw the big plume,” said Jim Quinn, who owns the camera.
Where it happened
The crash occurred in Rhawnhurst, a densely populated neighbourhood near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping centre. Emergency teams arrived quickly, shutting down roads and setting up a perimeter around the crash site. The incident happened just 3 miles (4.8 km) from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which mainly serves business jets and charter flights.
Flight details
The Learjet 55 took off at 6.06 pm, climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters) before it suddenly disappeared from radar. The aircraft was on its way to Springfield, Missouri, and was registered to Med Jets, a medical transport company.
First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. (AP)
Eyewitness accounts
People in nearby neighbourhoods described the crash as a terrifying event. Michael Schiavone, who lives in Mayfair, said he heard a loud bang, and his house shook. “It felt like a mini-earthquake,” he recalled.
When he checked his home security footage, he saw what looked like a missile falling from the sky. “For a second, I thought we were under attack,” he added, as reported by Associated Press (AP).
Emergency response
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro assured residents that all state resources would be made available to assist in the response. A large number of police and fire trucks arrived at the scene, initially causing chaos as roads were closed and people were told to move away. As the night progressed, the sirens faded, and the area became quieter.
Smoke rises as first responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP)
Crash comes amid recent aviation tragedy
This crash happened just two days after the deadliest air disaster in the US in decades. On Wednesday, an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided midair with a US Army helicopter carrying three soldiers over Washington, DC No one survived that crash.
About the plane’s owner
The aircraft belonged to Jet Rescue, a Mexico-based company specialising in air ambulance services. The company has handled high-profile medical transports, including flying baseball legend David Ortiz to Boston after he was shot in the Dominican Republic in 2019.
Investigation underway: FAA and NTSB lead the probe
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now leading the investigation. The NTSB stated that it is currently collecting information about the incident.
(with inputs from agencies)
Smoke rises as first responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. (AP) 
First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. (AP)
Smoke rises as first responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP)
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