Medical Transport Jet Explodes in Philadelphia, Fireball Engulfs Neighborhood

A medical transport jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday evening, exploding in a fireball and setting multiple homes ablaze. The jet was carrying a child patient, another passenger, and four crew members. According to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company that operated the flight, “We cannot confirm any survivors. Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”

Damage and Investigation

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the number of fatalities was unknown at the time. However, she confirmed that several homes and vehicles were damaged. “This is still an active scene under investigation,” she stated. The crash took place less than 3 miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

Eyewitness Account

A doorbell camera captured footage of the jet as it plunged and exploded in a streak of white. Jim Quinn, the camera’s owner, recalled, “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.”

Details of the Flight

The Learjet 55 had taken off at 6:06 p.m. and climbed to 1,600 feet before it disappeared from radar. It was en route to Springfield, Missouri. The crash occurred just days after a deadly midair collision in Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter.

Emergency Response

Governor Josh Shapiro offered state resources to help respond to the crash. A stream of emergency vehicles quickly arrived, establishing a perimeter around the site and directing people away. The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood.

Witness Reactions

Cell phone footage from a nearby witness showed debris scattered across the intersection, with black smoke rising into the sky. Michael Schiavone, a local resident, said, “There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second.”

Jet Rescue Background

Jet Rescue, a Mexico-based company, provides global air ambulance services. They have previously been involved in transporting patients, including baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz in 2019.

Ongoing Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash. The NTSB is currently gathering information about the incident.