Another plane crash incident in US as a small jet carrying six individuals crashed into a bustling neighborhood in Philadelphia on Friday. This incident adds to a string of recent aviation tragedies in the United States. Earlier this week, a passenger plane crash with a military helicopter in Washington.
Footage from the scene captured the twin-engine Learjet 55 plummeting at a steep angle. Upon impact, it triggered a massive fireball and scattered debris across homes and vehicles.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. It was en route to Branson, Missouri. The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. (2300 GMT).
Shriners Children’s Philadelphia confirmed that a young girl, her mother, and members of the flight and medical crew perished. The child had been receiving medical care at the hospital. She was being transported back to Mexico on a contracted air ambulance.
Mel Bower, spokesperson for Shriners Children’s, stated, “The patient was being transported back to her home country when the crash occurred.” Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the plane’s operator, confirmed that there were two passengers and four crew members on board. At this time, no survivors could be confirmed.
Emergency personnel flooded the crash site near Roosevelt Mall. This is a popular retail and dining area in Northeast Philadelphia.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on his Truth Social platform. He described the tragedy as “heartbreaking.” He commended first responders for their swift actions, saying, “God Bless you all.”
Eyewitnesses reported seeing body parts near the wreckage. Philadelphia City Council member Mike Driscoll expressed concerns that residents or bystanders may have been among the casualties. He told CNN, “It’s a grim situation.”
Investigation for plane crash
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the crash. Both agencies are already probing a deadly aviation accident earlier in the week. This involved an American Airlines subsidiary and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
In that incident, the airliner was attempting a night landing at Reagan National Airport. It collided with the helicopter, which was on a training mission. Divers have recovered 41 bodies from the frigid Potomac River. They continue searching for additional victims.
Investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from the jet.
