A medical jet carrying six people crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, causing a massive explosion and multiple homes to catch fire
What to Know
- A medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother and four others crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood about 30 seconds after taking off, erupting in a fireball and engulfing several homes in flames.
- The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue. Multiple videos obtained by NBC10 show the plane plummeting from the sky, crashing to the ground and a massive explosion shortly after. Multiple homes in the area caught fire.
- According to the FAA, the plane was a Learjet 55 that left Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed for Springfield-Branson National Airport and stopping in Missouri before traveling to its final destination of Tijuana, Mexico.
- A girl who was returning to Mexico after receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness in the U.S. was among the six people on board the flight. The girl’s mother, a pilot, copilot, doctor and paramedic were also on board.
- Six people who were on the ground during the crash were also hospitalized. Three of the victims remain at Temple University Hospital’s Jeanes Campus while three others were released.
- The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation. The NTSB said an investigator arrived and more officials would be there Saturday.
A medical jet transporting a child who had just completed treatment for a life-threatening condition, her mother and four others crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after takeoff Friday evening, exploding in a fireball that engulfed several homes.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which operated the Learjet 55, said in a statement: “We cannot confirm any survivors.” There was no immediate word whether anyone on the ground was killed, but at least six people were treated for injuries at a hospital.
Everyone aboard the flight was from Mexico. The child was being transported home, according to Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold. The flight’s final destination was Tijuana after a stop in Missouri.
The patient and her mother were on board along with four crew members. Gold said this was a seasoned crew and everyone involved in these flights goes through rigorous training.
What we know about the victims of the medical jet crash in Northeast Philly
By David Chang and The Associated Press
Shriners Children’s Philadelphia confirmed a pediatric patient was on board the medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia. Shriners Children’s Philadelphia spokesperson Mel Bower spoke with NBC10.
A medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother and four others slammed into a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, creating a massive explosion that caused fires and damage throughout the area.
The plane crashed 30 seconds after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights.
While officials have not yet released the identities of the victims of the crash, they did reveal more details about who they were and why they were on the aircraft.
The plane was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri. From there it would have traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, for its final destination.
