Plane carrying 6 crashes in Northeast Philadelphia, unleashes ‘mushroom explosion’

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A Learjet 55 carrying six people crashed in Northeast Philadelphia shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the aircraft was traveling from Philadelphia to Tijuana, Mexico, with a planned stop at Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down, setting several houses ablaze near Roosevelt Mall.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance confirmed in a LinkedIn post that there was a pediatric patient aboard who was accompanied by her mother and four other individuals. The Associated Press reported that all six on board were Mexican nationals, with the flight intended to continue to Tijuana after making a stop in Missouri.

“We are asking everyone for their thoughts and prayers for all who may have been impacted and affected by this tragedy,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press conference with state and local officials. “Several dwellings and vehicles were also impacted. And so we are urging people, particularly those families who live in the surrounding area, to please stay home if possible.”

Videos posted online appear to show the aircraft falling rapidly before erupting into flames in the heavily-populated residential neighborhood near the mall. First responders rushed to the crash site where fires lit up the hazy evening sky.

At least six people were admitted to Temple University Hospital’s Jeanes Campus with injuries related to the incident. A Temple spokesperson said three had been released while the remaining three were listed in fair condition. Parts of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue were cordoned off by law enforcement, who have advised residents to contact 911 if they discover debris.

“If there was ever a time when we needed to affirm what the one-Philly philosophy means, the time is now and I’m very proud about how our federal state and all of our local partners are working hard to deal with this tragedy,” Parker said.

The crash occurred only days after a deadly mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 67 people on the two aircrafts are presumed dead.

A large, multi-agency contingent, including Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Authority and the state Department of Environment Protection, was mobilized to manage the site.

“What you’re seeing here is a unified response. to an awful aviation disaster,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. “For as awful as that aviation disaster was, tonight we also saw the best of Philly. We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another.”

Shapiro said he spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who dispatched four FAA personnel to support the investigation.

Witnesses described the chaos. Among them, 37-year-old Southampton resident and Ukraine native Vadim Osipov said he initially believed a nearby gas station had blown up when he saw a “mushroom explosion.”

He added that he feared the explosion was caused by a rocket, at first.

“I’m from Ukraine … but I know there’s war. You never know,” Osipov said. “Maybe there’s another world war coming here.”

Robin Tees, a 48-year-old from Bucks County, felt the catastrophe “hits home more than it did when it’s somewhere else,” referring to the earlier crash near Washington.

“It’s like a natural instinct for a human being to want to see the wreckage that they see that’s dominating the world news,” Tees said.

In a message on social media, At-Large Councilmember Jim Harrity offered support: “My prayers go out to those on board, their families, those on the ground, and all of our first responders who are working tirelessly to manage the crisis.”

He added that he’ll work with Councilmember Michael Driscoll, who represents District 6 in Northeast Philadelphia, “to help monitor the situation.”

The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.

WHYY News’ Nicole Leonard contributed reporting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.