All 6 Feared Dead in Philadelphia Air Ambulance Crash

News Update Saturday, 9.50 AM

All six people aboard a medical transport aircraft are feared dead after the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed Friday evening near a shopping mall in northeast Philadelphia. Among those presumed lost are a pediatric patient, their escort, and four crew members. The operating company has indicated there are likely no survivors from the crash.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, speaking at a news conference, said authorities were still determining the final death toll. The crash affected multiple homes and vehicles in the area, though the full extent of damage to residential properties remains unclear.

 

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Reported at 7.15 AM IST Saturday

Philadelphia witnessed a tragic accident on Friday evening when a small air ambulance plane crashed in a residential neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, causing a massive fire and multiple casualties. The exact death toll has not yet been confirmed.

 

For CRASH Video

https://x.com/BenefitNews24/status/1885493193753715007

 

The incident occurred just after 6 p.m. near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, less than three miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. This airport is primarily used for business jets and charter flights.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft, a Learjet 55, had taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was heading toward Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down. Authorities have confirmed that the aircraft was on a medical mission.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that six people were onboard the aircraft. Initially, the FAA reported only two people, but there has been no official update on their conditions.

Eyewitnesses described the crash as devastating. One witness, who was driving near the scene, recounted, "I was just coming to Wendy’s when I saw the plane hit the building. It exploded, lighting up the entire sky. I pulled over and saw the chaos—it was just horrible. It felt like an earthquake."

Another local resident, who was at home at the time, said his house shook from the explosion. He initially thought it was an earthquake but later checked his home security footage and saw what looked like a missile descending from the sky. "The explosion was so massive that, for a moment, I thought we were under attack," he added.

Following the crash, a large fire broke out, engulfing several vehicles and residential homes. Several individuals were rushed to the hospital with burn injuries, but no official updates have been given on their conditions.

Authorities responded quickly, and the FAA temporarily halted operations at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to the crash. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro assured that state resources are being mobilized to support local emergency teams in managing the crisis.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

FAA Statement:

FAA Statement
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan.
31, after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There
were two people on board. The plane was en route to Springfield-
Branson National Airport in Missouri. The FAA and NTSB will
investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide
all updates.
Contact local authorities for the names and medical
conditions of the people on board.
The FAA will post preliminary accident/incident
report here, usually the next business day.