PHILADELPHIA — A tragic incident unfolded Friday evening when a medical transport aircraft, carrying a child patient, her mother, and four crew members, went down in a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after taking off. The crash resulted in a catastrophic fireball that engulfed several nearby homes.
All six individuals on the flight were from Mexico. The child was being flown home to Mexico after receiving treatment for a serious medical condition in Philadelphia, as noted by a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. The intended route included a stop in Missouri before reaching their final destination in Tijuana.
The jet included the young patient and her mother alongside four experienced crew members. The spokesperson remarked on the extensive training these individuals undergo, emphasizing that safety is their top priority. “It’s always shocking when something like this occurs,” they stated, adding that every aircraft is maintained meticulously to ensure the highest level of safety during missions.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the media later that evening, expressing that he anticipates fatalities resulting from what he described as an “awful aviation disaster.” “We know that there will be loss,” he stated grimly.
The aircraft was registered in Mexico, and Jet Rescue operates in both Mexico and the United States. This crash follows closely after a separate midair collision in Washington, D.C., that resulted in the loss of all lives on board an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, marking one of the deadliest aviation events in years.
In Philadelphia, a doorbell camera recorded the harrowing moment as the plane descended at a rapid pace, soaring into a plume of flames upon impact near a busy shopping mall and highway. Witnesses described hearing a loud roar, suddenly turning to see the fiery aftermath.
Less than three miles away from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where the aircraft had just taken off, the Learjet 55 quickly vanished from radar after lifting off around 6:06 p.m., climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet. The plane was associated with a company called Med Jets, according to tracking information.
In response to the tragedy, former President Donald Trump shared his sorrow on social media, commenting on the loss of innocent lives. “So sad to see the crash. Our people are totally engaged,” he mentioned.
A steady influx of emergency vehicles converged on the scene, using business parking areas as they responded to the disaster. Within about an hour, emergency activity quieted down as the sun set, leaving curious onlookers attempting to catch sight of the situation from their cars.
The plane went down in a busy intersection adjacent to Roosevelt Mall, a popular shopping destination located in the crowded neighborhood of Rhawnhurst. Eyewitness cellphone footage taken right after the crash revealed a chaotic scene, with debris strewn about and a towering column of smoke rising as emergency sirens echoed in the distance.
One resident, Michael Schiavone, described the incident from his home in a nearby area. He reported feeling a substantial shake, likening it to a minor earthquake, and stated that his security camera footage depicted what appeared to be a missile falling from the sky. “The explosion was massive, and for a brief moment, I thought we were under attack,” he recounted.
Jet Rescue, the plane’s operator, provides international air ambulance services and has previously been in the spotlight for transporting critically ill patients, including high-profile cases. The Federal Aviation Administration announced that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, working to gather comprehensive details regarding the incident.
