A mid-size air ambulance plane carrying a sick child and five others crashed on Friday night shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, plowing into a residential area and setting off at least six house fires.
The crash occurred in the Northeast part of the city around 6:10 p.m, a city statement read. A medical transportation jet carrying a mother, daughter and four crew members were killed. One person who sustained injuries on the ground died.
The Learjet 55 aircraft was operated by Mexico-based air ambulance company Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.
The Mexican government said all those on the plane were Mexican nationals. Nineteen people sustained on-the-ground injuries.
The child was a girl on her way home with a final destination of Tijuana, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance told CNN.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro told a press conference at the crash scene that "we know there will be loss in this region”.
President Donald Trump wrote on social media that it was "so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost."
Key Points
- Plane crashes in busy residential area near Philadelphia mall, sparking fires
- WATCH: Philadelphia plane crash caught on Ring video
- All on board plane were Mexican nationals, says government
- Donald Trump mourns ‘innocent souls lost’ in Philadelphia crash
- Everything we know about Philadelphia crash
Mayor Cherelle L Parker confirms seven dead, 19 injured
17:06
,
Michelle Del Rey
Seven people are confirmed dead and 19 injured after a plane crashed in North Philadelphia Friday.
Parker confirmed the development in a social media post. Six of the deceased were on board the aircraft while one individual was in a car.
Several dwellings and vehicles sustained damage in the crash. Local officials are working with state and federal partners to determine the cause of the incident.
“Much more work needs to be done. Please stay home and safe,” Parker said.
Mexican president responds to crash
16:50
,
Michelle Del Rey
“I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia,” Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said in a social media statement Saturday morning.
“The consular authorities are in contact with victims’ families. I’ve asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary to support them in whatever way is required.
“My solidarity to their loved ones and friends.”
Four people spent Friday night at Philadelphia shelter
16:30
,
Michelle Del Rey
The Red Cross is currently running an emergency shelter close to the site of the plane crash. It said four people spent the evening there on Friday.
The charity is asking individuals not to bring material donations to the facility.
“We understand people want to help and appreciate the support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support the community,” the organization said.
“We ask that you not bring material donations such as clothing or food to the shelter. We're working to identify partners to handle donations.”
Emergency shelter open across the street from site
15:50
,
Michelle Del Rey
A shelter has been opened at Samuel Fels High School at 5500 Langdon Street in Northeast Philadelphia.
The facility is being operated with the Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross to assist those who’ve been displaced by the incident.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L Parker said the crash impacted several dwellings in the area.
“Southeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross disaster workers are there to assist anyone who’s been displaced by this tragedy,” a statement said.
“People have already begun using the shelter – and we encourage anyone who needs this service to avail themselves.”
Philadelphia mayor releases statement
15:30
,
Michelle Del Rey
“Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and all of those impacted by the tragic crash,” said Mayor Cherelle L Parker
“We are unified in our approach – a One Philly philosophy with all hands-on deck. I am so grateful for the rapid response by our Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, our Office of Emergency Management and Philadelphia Gas Works with federal, state, and local first responders who swarmed the scene in collaboration with all first responders on the ground.”
The plane had been heading to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before continuing to Mexico, where the child lived.
The aircraft was in the air for a minute before it crashed. Nine people on the ground were hurt, with several being taken to a nearby hospital. None of the six people on board the aircraft survived.
“This is a tragedy in our city – people have lost their lives and many injured in this horrific crash and the damage is significant,” Parker added.
WATCH: Philadelphia man describes helping injured child on the ground
15:20
,
Michelle Del Rey
“I don’t record. I help”
— Chris O'Connell (@CoconnellFox29) February 1, 2025
Philly man describes how he helped some of the injured on the ground after last nights medical transport plane crash in NE Philadelphia . All 6 onboard killed. No word on yet on how many injuries or fatalities on the ground. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/WLMbMquHi4
Shriners Children's Philadelphia releases statement
15:05
,
Michelle Del Rey
The hospital said one of its pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia last night.
The hospital couldn’t provide additional details because of patient privacy concerns.
“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.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he's briefed Trump, Pennsylvania governor after crash
14:53
,
Michelle Del Rey
“Just briefed the President and Governor Shapiro from FAA headquarters,” Duffy wrote on X. “I offered the full support of the US Department of Transportation to the Governor and local officials.”
Donald Trump mourns plane crash victims
13:00
,
Namita Singh
President Donald Trump took to social media to mourn the victims of plane crash.
"So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," he wrote on Truth Social. "More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job."
The crash follows this week's collision of an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, DS, which killed 67 in the deadliest airplane crash in the US since 2009.
The Federal Aviation Administration said six people were on the Learjet 55 that crashed around 6.30pm on Friday.
Local media reported it was near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia and that there were multiple injuries on the ground.
What we know so far as Learjet air ambulance comes down in huge explosion near mall
12:30
,
Namita Singh
An air ambulance carrying a young girl, her mother and four crew members crashed into a busy residential area of northeast Philadelphia Friday, erupting in a fireball.
The aircraft came down just after 6pm local time near the Roosevelt Mall, damaging half a dozen homes and a number of vehicles. Shocking footage showed a large mushroom-shaped fireball shooting into the sky upon the plane’s impact.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which operated the Learjet 55, said in a statement: "We cannot confirm any survivors.”
Air traffic control audio describes moments leading to Philadelphia air ambulance crash
12:00
,
Namita Singh
Pictures capture dramatic scene of Philadelphia crash
11:30
,
Namita Singh
Death toll still unconfirmed – but officials 'know there will be loss'
11:00
,
Namita Singh
An official confirmation of the death toll from Friday's evening's crash is not expected until the morning, but there were six people on board the air ambulance that came down in a fiery crash and currently no reports of any survivors.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said at a news conference late on Friday that officials expected fatalities in the "awful aviation disaster”.
"We know that there will be loss," he said.
Six people were injured on the ground, but none are in a life-threatening condition.
Recap: Air ambulance plane carrying sick child and 5 others crashes into homes in Philadelphia
10:29
,
Namita Singh
A medical transport 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 on 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. Mr Gold said this was a seasoned crew and everyone involved in these flights goes through rigorous training.
"When an incident like this happens, it's shocking and surprising," Mr Gold told The Associated Press. "All of the aircraft are maintained, not a penny is spared because we know our mission is so critical."
Will Republicans blame this disaster on DEI too?
09:30
,
Josh Marcus
Search and rescue teams hadn’t even finished pulling the bodies out of the Potomac River before Donald Trump began blaming diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs for the disastrous Wednesday night plane crash between a military helicopter and a commercial jet outside Washington that likely killed 67 people.
That leads one to wonder, will Trump politicize the Philadelphia crash too and blame DEI?
Earlier this week, we had this analysis on why the right is so quick to blame DEI in the wake of tragedy.
In video: Ring doorbell camera captures moment small plane explodes into fireball in Philadelphia neighborhood
09:00
,
Namita Singh
A Ring doorbell camera has captured the horrifying moment an air ambulance plane crashed into a “high traffic” residential area, starting fires on Friday night (31 January).
Watch the video here:
Map: Philadelphia officials warn of road closures
08:30
,
Josh Marcus
Major road closures due to the aircraft response and investigation: Cottman Ave closed between Bustleton and Brous Aves. Roosevelt Boulevard outer lanes from Rhawn St to Tyson Ave. Saint Vincent St closed between Bustleton Ave and Castor Ave (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ZdVxOVixdo
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) February 1, 2025
‘I thought we were under attack’: Eyewitness describes seeing crash
08:25
,
Namita Singh
One cellphone video taken by a witness moments after the crash showed a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the intersection. A wall of orange glowed just beyond as a plume of black smoke rose into the sky and sirens blared.
Michael Schiavone, 37, was sitting at his home in Mayfair, a nearby neighborhood, when he heard a loud bang and his house shook. He said it felt like a mini earthquake and when he checked his home security camera, it looked like a missile came down.
"There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second," he said.
Final instructions from air traffic control before Philadelphia crash
08:07
,
Namita Singh
Shortly after 6pm, audio recorded by LiveATC captured an air traffic controller telling "Medevac Medservice 056" to turn right when departing.
About 30 seconds later it 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."
What we know so far
08:01
,
Namita Singh
- An air ambulance plane crashed shortly after take-off into a row of houses in Philadelphia on Friday night
- Flight was operated by a Mexican NGO and transporting a child who had just completed treatment for a life-threatening condition, as well as her mother and four others
- No survivors have been found from the plane, while Pennsylvania's governor says 'there will be loss'
- All six people on board the flight were Mexican nationals
- At least six people on the ground were injured, with three of the six discharged after receiving treatment at Temple University Hospital
Red Cross on scene at Philadelphia plane crash
07:30
,
Josh Marcus
The Red Cross is joining the local, state, and federal officials racing to the scene of a plane crash in a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic incident in Northeast Philadelphia tonight,” the organization wrote on X. “A team of trained Red Cross disaster workers is on the scene to assist those who have been displaced, and we’re working with our partners to assess any other needs.”
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic incident in Northeast Philadelphia tonight. A team of trained Red Cross disaster workers is on the scene to assist those who have been displaced, and we’re working with our partners to assess any other needs.
— Red Cross Philadelphia (@RedCrossPhilly) February 1, 2025
Six injured admitted to Temple University – reports
06:35
,
Namita Singh
At least six people injured in the crash were admitted to Temple University Hospital, the authorities told ABC News.
While three patients were treated and released, three remain hospitalised, the outlet reported. The nature of injuries sustained remains unclear.
Mexican officials work to confirm nationalities of passengers on downed medical plane in Philadelphia
06:30
,
Josh Marcus
The Mexican government is working to confirm the identities onboard an air ambulance flight that crashed in Philadelphia on Friday night.
The plane, from Mexico-based Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was reportedly carrying a pediatric patient from Mexico and her mother, who were returning to Tijuana after getting treatment in the U.S.
All on board plane were Mexican nationals, says government
05:41
,
Namita Singh
The Mexican government said all those on the plane were Mexican nationals, CNN reported.
The child was a girl on her way home with a final destination of Tijuana, Shai Gold, who works on corporate strategy with Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, told CNN. Her mother was also aboard, he said.
"We are terribly shocked by this tragic turn of events," Mr Gold said. "This was a very seasoned crew. We are a leading air ambulance company, we fly 600 to 700 times a year."
He said the company had invested heavily in maintaining its aircraft to the highest international standards and that the plane that crashed had been in excellent flying condition.
"We really don't know what happened," Mr Gold said.
Have there been other fatal crashes with air ambulances?
05:39
,
Namita Singh
There were 87 accidents involving air ambulances in the US from 2000 to 2020, resulting in 230 deaths, according to a study in the journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.
Nearly three quarters of those accidents were on helicopters.
Human factors that can include pilot error or disorientation, impairment and fatigue contributed to 87 per cent of the fatal crashes.
The Philadelphia crash was the second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue. In 2023, five crew members were killed when their plane overran a runway in the central Mexican state of Morelos and crashed into a hillside.
Weather was poor above Philadelphia at time of crash
05:30
,
Josh Marcus
Poor weather conditions were occurring in the skies above Philadelphia on Friday night when a medical transit jet crashed shortly after takeoff.
Poor weather conditions this evening at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE) during the Learjet crash. The ceiling was only 600 feet. Rain was nearby. The jet crashed crashed three miles from the runway, in a densely populated area of northeast Philadelphia near Roosevelt Mall. pic.twitter.com/2Laq4WszV2
— Tyler Jankoski NBC5 (@TylerJankoski) February 1, 2025
The region was experiencing low clouds, light rain and fog.
“Unlike the midair collision in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night where adverse weather conditions were not present, inclement weather will likely be a key factor in the investigation into this small plane crash in Philadelphia,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said in a statement.
“Light rain and fog were reported in northeast Philadelphia at the time of the crash. Visibility at the surface was 5-7 miles. The base layer of clouds was 400-600 feet above the ground. Winds from the southwest at 10 mph were reported in the area at the time of the crash.”
“Weather conditions are a critical factor that investigators review after plane crashes. Of course, it is unclear if Friday night's rainy and foggy weather was a direct factor in this plane crash,” Porter added.
Who rides air ambulances?
05:23
,
Namita Singh
People with traumatic injuries, pregnancy complications, heart attacks, strokes and respiratory diseases are the most common users of air ambulances, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
More than 550,000 patients in the US use them every year.
In Hawaii, for example, they are frequently used to take patients from less populated islands, where health care is more limited, to Honolulu, where the state's biggest hospitals are located.
The owner of the plane that crashed in Philadelphia, Jet Rescue, flew baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz to Boston after he was shot in the Dominican Republican in 2019.
Air ambulances will often have similar life-saving equipment like ventilators and blood transfusion devices. They will have stretchers and incubators.
The Mayo Clinic, for example, said its air ambulances will have an external defibrillator, an external pacemaker and more than 60 medications.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians care for patients on board. Sometimes doctors and nurses are on board.
What is an air ambulance?
05:20
,
Namita Singh
An air ambulance provides transportation to people in critical or life-threatening situations when a ground ambulance can't reach a patient or wouldn't get to them fast enough.
They help boost a patient's odds of surviving and recovering, particularly in rural areas that don't have trauma or burn centers, according to a 2017 US Government Accountability Office report.
They've grown in importance as more rural hospitals have closed, according to a medical journal report from 2022.
Air ambulances can be either a helicopter or a fixed wing aircraft. Helicopters are generally used to take patients between hospitals or from the scene of an accident to a hospital. The airplane versions fly longer distances between airports.
Helicopters make up 74 per cent of all air ambulances, according to the GAO report.
The Philadelphia crash involved a Learjet 55, a small business jet.
NTSB to lead investigation as first responders reach crash site
05:10
,
Namita Singh
A continuous stream of police vehicles and fire trucks initially responded at the crash site, taking over business parking lots.
Within about an hour, the cry of sirens and shouted orders had faded into relative quiet at the edges of the closed-off area, and darkness settled in as drivers passing by peered out trying to see what was happening.
The plane crashed in a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center in the densely populated neighborhood of Rhawnhurst.
One cellphone video taken by a witness moments after the crash showed a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the intersection. A wall of orange glowed just beyond as a plume of black smoke rose into the sky and sirens blared.
Michael Schiavone, 37, was sitting at his home in Mayfair, a nearby neighborhood, when he heard a loud bang and his house shook. He said it felt like a mini earthquake and when he checked his home security camera, it looked like a missile came down.
"There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second," he said.
Jet Rescue, which provides global air ambulance services, flew baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz to Boston after he was shot in the Dominican Republic in 2019 and was involved in transporting patients critically ill with Covid-19.
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.
Donald Trump mourns ‘innocent souls lost’ in Philadelphia crash
05:05
,
Namita Singh
President Donald Trump has given his first response to the Philadelphia plane crash in a social media post.
Writing on his platform Truth Social, he said: "So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia."More innocent souls lost," he added.
"Our people are totally engaged."
Six people were on board the plane that crashed shortly after take-off, sparking a large fire. No survivors have yet been reported.
‘All we heard was a loud roar’
04:49
,
Namita Singh
In Philadelphia, a doorbell camera captured video of the plane plunging in a streak of white and exploding as it hit the ground near a shopping mall and major roadway.
"All we heard was a loud roar and didn't know where it was coming from. We just turned around and saw the big plume," said Jim Quinn, the owner of the doorbell camera.
The crash happened less than 5km from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights.
The Learjet 55 quickly disappeared from radar after taking off from the airport at 6.06pm and climbing to an altitude of 487 meters.
It was registered to a company operating as Med Jets, according to the flight tracking website Flight Aware.
US rocked by two plane crashes in three days
04:35
,
Namita Singh
The Philadelphia crash comes just two days after the deadliest US air disaster in a generation.
On Wednesday night, an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided in midair in Washington, DC, with an Army helicopter carrying three soldiers. There were no survivors.
The Philadelphia crash was also the second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue.
In 2023 five crew members were killed when their plane overran a runway in the central Mexican state of Morelos and crashed into a hillside.
‘We know there will be loss’
04:31
,
Namita Singh
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said at a news conference late on Friday that officials expected fatalities in the "awful aviation disaster”.
"We know that there will be loss," he said.
Map shows location of Philadelphia plane crash
04:30
,
Josh Marcus
‘We cannot confirm any survivors’
04:22
,
Namita Singh
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.
All six people aboard were from Mexico. The child had been treated in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition and was being transported home, according to Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold.
The flight's final destination was to have been Tijuana after a stop in Missouri.
The patient and her mother were on board along with four crew members. Mr Gold said this was a seasoned crew and everyone involved in these flights goes through rigorous training.
"When an incident like this happens, it's shocking and surprising," Mr Gold told The Associated Press. "All of the aircraft are maintained, not a penny is spared because we know our mission is so critical."
Photos capture dramatic Philadelphia plane crash
04:10
,
Josh Marcus
Video: Philadelphia plane crash in residential area captured by Ring video
03:40
,
Josh Marcus
A Ring doorbell camera has captured the horrifying moment an air ambulance plane crashed into a “high traffic” residential area, starting fires on Friday night.
The Learjet 55 jet was registered to a medical transport company and was carrying six passengers, including a pediatric patient, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said.
It crashed near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, near the Roosevelt Mall, according to officials.
In the Ring video, the plane can be seen careening towards the ground before disappearing behind a row of houses, igniting the night sky with massive flames.
What we know so far after Learjet crash goes down in huge explosion near mall
03:31
,
Josh Marcus
An air ambulance carrying a pediatric patient, their escort and four crew members crashed into a busy residential area of northeast Philadelphia Friday, erupting in a fireball.
The aircraft came down just after 6 p.m. local time near the Roosevelt Mall, damaging several homes and vehicles. Shocking footage showed a large mushroom-shaped fireball shooting into the sky.
City law enforcement quickly declared the crash a “major incident” and urged residents to stay away from the area.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that “several dwellings and vehicles” were impacted in the crash.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Philadelphia flight was carrying Mexican medical patient
03:20
,
Josh Marcus
One of those onboard the plane that crashed in Philadelphia tonight was a Mexican child who came to the U.S. for “life-saving” medical care.
"The treatment ran its course. She was ready to go home, and we were contracted to bring her back home to Mexico," Shai Gold, a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance told NBC Philadelphia. "Ultimate destination was the Tijuana International Airport and was scheduled to go home by ground ambulance."
'There will be loss': Governor Shapiro on plane crash
03:10
Governor Josh Shapiro is on the scene in Philadelphia, where a plane crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off.
“There will be loss in this region,” Shapiro said at a press conference on Friday night. “We want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those who are grieving at this moment.”
The governor praised the work of first responders and the communal spirit of the city.
“Tonight we also saw the best of Philly,” he said. “We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another.”
The governor said he had spoken with Trump administration Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Plane was part of Mexico-based air ambulance company
03:00
,
Josh Marcus
The jet that crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday night belonged to a company called Jet Rescue, an air ambulance provider based in Mexico.
The company, which ha
