Medical plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia kills 7 people, including child and mother​on February 2, 2025 at 6:23 am

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WABC) — Authorities continue to search for answers after a small medical transport plane carrying six people, including a pediatric patient and her mother, went down in a fiery crash near a busy Philadelphia mall.

A person in a car was the seventh fatal victim of the fiery crash, authorities said Saturday, as investigators sifted through burned cars, damaged homes and charred debris for clues to determine why the aircraft plummeted shortly after takeoff.

The Learjet 55 crashed near the Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia around 6:10 p.m. on Friday after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, authorities said.

All six people on board, including the girl, her mother and four crew members, were killed in the crash, according to Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office.

The medical transport jet was in the air less than a minute before it plunged to the ground, the National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday evening.

“This was a high-impact crash and the plane is highly fragmented. There is substantial impact on the entire community,” said NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy.

The crash claimed at least seven lives and injured another 19 people following an explosion that sent debris flying down the block.

“The debris is scattered. It is very dangerous, and so I encourage everyone to stay out of the accident site. It’s very dangerous,” Homendy noted.

Adam Thiel, the city’s managing director, said it could be days – or longer – until officials are able to fully count the number of dead and injured across a sprawling impact area in a densely populated residential area.

There are “a lot of unknowns about who was where on the streets” when the plane crashed, and it is possible that the casualty figures will grow, Thiel said.

The crash scene was at least four to six blocks, and authorities were working to assess the damage, including going house to house to inspect the dwellings, Thiel said.

Moment of impact: Plane crash caught on multiple videos in Northeast Philadelphia

Multiple cameras captured the plane crash and explosion in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.

Where was the plane going?

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said all six victims on the plane were from her country. In a statement on the social media platform X, she mourned their deaths.

“Consular authorities are in constant contact with the families; I have asked the Foreign Affairs Secretary to support whatever is needed. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends,” she said in Spanish.

Of the six people on board the medical transport jet, one was a child who had just completed treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hospital, one was her mother and four were crew members, officials said.

A hospital spokesperson said the girl spent four months there receiving life-saving treatment for a condition not easily treated in Mexico. Shriners officials said they couldn’t give details about the girl or her family because of patient privacy rules.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event – as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground – and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action,” Shriners said in a statement.

The company that operated the flight, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, said in a statement there were four crew members on board.

“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors,” the company said in the statement. “No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified. Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”

Tijuana, Mexico, across the border from San Diego, was to have been the flight’s final destination after a stop in Missouri.

Video shows vehicles and other debris on fire after plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

Video shows vehicles and other debris burning on the ground after a plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.

What we know about injuries

A large fire burned in the wake of the crash, prompting a significant response. Vehicles, homes and even people in the area could be seen on fire.

“It was just horrific. I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up and I pulled over and basically, it was just real bad around here,” said one witness, who described the incident as “earthquakish.”

“We heard an explosion and then saw the aftermath of flames and smoke. Common sense told me that I should not get close to it,” added witness Jimmy Wiess, who was in the area looking for a spot to have dinner.

WATCH: Witness describes horrific scene, seeing woman on fire

Witness describes horrific scene, seeing woman on fire after plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

The Learjet took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights.

Audio recorded by LiveATC captured an air traffic controller telling “Medevac Medservice 056” to turn right when departing. About 30 seconds later, the controller repeats the request before asking, “You on frequency?” Minutes later the controller says, “We have a lost aircraft. We’re not exactly sure what happened, so we’re trying to figure it out. For now the field is going to be closed.”

Michael Schiavone was sitting at his home nearby when he heard a loud bang and the house shook.

“There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second,” he said.