PHILADELPHIA — A tragic incident unfolded on Friday evening when a medical transport jet carrying a child who had recently completed treatment for a serious medical condition, her mother, and four crew members crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after takeoff. The aircraft exploded in a significant fireball, causing damage to multiple homes in the area.
The Learjet 55 was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which released a statement indicating that they could not confirm any survivors from the flight. While there were no immediate reports of fatalities on the ground, at least six individuals were treated for injuries at a nearby hospital.
All passengers aboard the flight were from Mexico. The child was being transported back home, with Tijuana as the final destination after a stop in Missouri, according to a spokesperson for Jet Rescue. The flight included the patient, her mother, and four experienced crew members. The spokesperson emphasized that all personnel involved in such flights undergo extensive training.
“It’s shocking and unexpected when incidents like this occur,” the spokesperson stated. “We spare no expense in maintaining all aircraft because we recognize the critical nature of our mission.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the media later on Friday, expressing his fears regarding potential fatalities stemming from the disaster. “We understand that there will be loss,” he noted.
Jennifer Reardon, a representative from Temple University Hospital-Jeanes, reported that they treated six individuals for injuries related to the crash. Of those, three had been discharged, while the remaining patients were in fair condition. However, details about the specifics of their injuries were not disclosed.
The plane was registered in Mexico, and Jet Rescue operates both in Mexico and the United States.
This accident occurred just two days after a devastating midair collision in Washington, D.C., which claimed the lives of all aboard an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter. The Philadelphia incident marks the second fatal crash for Jet Rescue in just over a year; five crew members died in a crash in Mexico in 2023 after their plane overran a runway.
Eyewitness accounts captured the moment of the crash. A doorbell camera showed the Learjet plummeting and subsequently erupting in flames as it struck the ground near a shopping area and a major roadway. Jim Quinn, who captured the incident on his camera, described hearing a loud roar followed by the sight of a massive plume of smoke.
The crash site was located under three miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, primarily serving business and charter flights. The Learjet 55 quickly vanished from radar after ascending from the airport at 6:06 p.m. The aircraft was registered to an operator identified as Med Jets.
Moments after takeoff, audio from air traffic control revealed the confusion as the controller attempted to communicate with the flight. In recorded audio, the controller expressed concern over the loss of the aircraft and stated that efforts were underway to assess the situation, resulting in a temporary closure of the airfield.
Reacting to the incident, former President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on social media, calling the situation sad and lamenting the loss of innocent lives.
Following the crash, a multitude of emergency response vehicles arrived at the scene. As the night progressed, the hustle and bustle of responders subsided, and the area became eerily quiet, drawing the attention of onlookers who were curious about the unfolding events.
The crash site was situated near a busy intersection in a densely populated area close to Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center. Witnesses shared chaotic footage soon after the crash, portraying a scene of devastation with debris scattered and smoke billowing into the air.
One local resident described the experience as feeling like a “mini earthquake” when the explosion occurred and initially suspected an attack due to the loud noise and the subsequent explosion.
Jet Rescue is known for its global air ambulance services, having previously transported high-profile patients including baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz in 2019 after he sustained injuries in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, they played a role in transporting critically ill COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.
The Federal Aviation Administration has stated that the National Transportation Safety Board will take the lead on the investigation into this crash, with officials already dispatched to the site by Saturday.
