A small medical plane crashed in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening in a large explosion.
The plane, a Learjet 55, crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Six people were believed to be on board the plane, which was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
Watch:
A small plane crashed in Philadelphia tonight, and people are reacting intensely to a man who recorded the tragic accident while distraughtly shouting, “Allahu Akbar.”
In this context, “Allahu Akbar” is a plea for God’s mercy, meaning “God is the greatest.”
It’s ironic how… pic.twitter.com/G66EkdZKUW
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) February 1, 2025
Plane Debris and Body Parts are said to be scattered across Roads and Parking Lots in Philadelphia, while several Fires rage, following the Crash of a Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, as it was taking-off earlier from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Learjet… pic.twitter.com/CCXZbTEmGg
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 1, 2025
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press conference that “several dwellings and vehicles” were hit in the crash and told residents to stay away from the scene.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he briefed President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) from FAA headquarters and offered the “full support” of the Department of Transportation to state and local officials.
Just briefed the President and @GovernorShapiro from FAA HQ. I offered the full support of the @USDOT to the Governor and local officials.
Investigators are on site. @FAANews pic.twitter.com/CZOjE8TFKk
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 1, 2025
“Investigators are on site,” Duffy said in a post on X.
Mexican-based Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said the plane was theirs and that four crew members, a pediatric patient, and an escort were on board the ill-fated flight.
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified,” the company said in a statement. “Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”
The company told the Associated Press all six people on board were from Mexico and the patient on board was a child being treated for a life-threatening condition in Philadelphia. The patient was headed home to Mexico, with the plane’s final destination being Tijuana.
Trump said that the crash was “so sad to see” and praised first responders in a post on Truth Social.
“So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all,” Trump said.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, officials said.
Duffy, who was only confirmed earlier this week, was back at the FAA headquarters on Friday night, just days after a collision between a passenger plane and military helicopter close to Reagan Airport in Arlington, Virginia. That collision resulted in the deaths of 67 people. The Wednesday incident was the first deadly commercial airline crash in the United States since 2009.