
PHILADELPHIA – A Medevac jet tragically crashed in a residential neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, igniting an explosion that startled residents and left many seeking cover in their homes.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance confirmed that its aircraft went down, carrying four crew members, a pediatric patient, and the child’s escort. Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia announced with deep sorrow that the young patient and her mother were on board the flight. The child, who had been receiving care at Shriners, was being transported back to her home in Mexico when the accident occurred.
The Learjet crashed near a residential street, and local news outlets aired footage from doorbell cameras capturing a blinding yellow flash illuminating the sky moments before the aircraft plummeted. Witnesses reported seeing an orange glow near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center surrounded by homes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. The Learjet 55 had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, headed for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
This incident follows a tragic midair collision in Washington D.C. earlier this week, which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, marking one of the deadliest air disasters in the U.S. in over two decades.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker reported that some homes and vehicles near the crash site were ablaze, though the number of casualties remains unconfirmed. She urged residents to avoid the area and any debris, saying, “Right now, we’re just asking for prayers for anyone and everyone who might be affected.”
Both Mayor Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of unity in the face of such tragedy. “What you’re witnessing here is a coordinated response to a devastating aviation disaster,” Shapiro remarked.
Although Jet Rescue stated that there were no survivors aboard, Mayor Parker could not confirm the number of fatalities. The Red Cross has since opened a shelter at a local high school for those displaced by the explosion, and disaster response teams are on-site.
Temple University Health reported that its Jeanes campus received six individuals injured in the crash. Three were treated and released, while three others are in fair condition, though further details on their injuries were not provided.
Jet Rescue spokesman Shai Gold confirmed that all six individuals aboard the jet were Mexican nationals, including the young patient, her mother, and the flight crew. He expressed condolences for the loss, stating, “Our heart goes out to the families. It’s an irreplaceable loss.”
Gold noted that a third-party charitable organization funded the flight but did not disclose its name. He described the company’s operations as a “holy mission,” emphasizing that safety is paramount, with stringent protocols for maintaining their aircraft.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has briefed President Donald Trump and Governor Shapiro about the incident. “It’s so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia. More innocent souls lost,” Trump stated on social media.
Witnesses described the crash as shocking. Timothy Stauffer, who lived nearby, reported hearing a deafening boom, likening it to a bomb exploding. “All this was cloudy, smoky, and then the EMS and authorities came and started locking things down,” he recounted.
Michael Hitchner, who was parked nearby, rushed to assist a child injured by debris. “The parents were shouting, ‘Help us, help us!'” he recalled, describing the chaotic scene.
As the investigation into the crash begins, the FAA will work alongside the National Transportation Safety Board to uncover the circumstances leading to this tragic event.