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 on the medical transport jet, including a child, were killed on the flight en route Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
One person on the ground, who was in their car at the time, also died. At least 19 others were injured, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said during a briefing Saturday morning. The extent of those injuries were not specified, but officials did say the injury and death toll could change.
Five structures were on fire after the crash, all of which have been extinguished as of Saturday.
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.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 1, 2025
Investigators are on site. @FAANews pic.twitter.com/CZOjE8TFKk
The plane was from the Mexican-based Jet Rescue Air Ambulance company. 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.
Mexico’s US Ambassador, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán said “it is with deep sadness we once again mourn a terrible plane crash,” adding that the embassy sends “a message of solidarity and affection” to the family and friends of those killed in the crash.
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.
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The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, officials said.
Duffy, who was 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.
