An air ambulance carrying six people, including a young girl and her mother, crashed in a residential area of Philadelphia shortly after takeoff, resulting in a large explosion and significant damage on the ground. The aircraft, a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it lost control minutes after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Friday evening.
A Learjet 55 air ambulance with six onboard, including a child patient and her mother, crashed in Philadelphia moments after takeoff.
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The plane exploded on impact, hitting buildings and cars. No survivors confirmed. Rescue efforts ongoing.#Philadelphia #PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/SHhLuk583t
Doorbell footage captured the jet plummeting towards the ground before erupting into flames, leaving a trail of destruction. Emergency services, including fire crews and police, responded swiftly to the scene, closing nearby roads and working to contain the blaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially reported only two people on board but later confirmed that six individuals were on the flight, including four crew members, the young patient, and her mother. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance issued a statement expressing concern for the victims, stating that names would not be released until families had been notified.
The young girl, who had been receiving medical treatment in the United States, was returning home to Tijuana, Mexico, according to the air ambulance provider. A spokesperson for the company indicated that they did not believe anyone on board had survived the crash.
Police sources reported injuries among individuals on the ground, though details regarding casualties or fatalities remain unclear. The aircraft collided with multiple buildings and vehicles, compounding the destruction in the area.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, where the young girl had been treated, confirmed her presence on the flight. In a statement, they expressed condolences to the victims’ families and gratitude to first responders.
Flightradar data revealed that the aircraft had climbed to an altitude of 1,650 feet before experiencing a sharp descent at a rate of -11,008 feet per minute. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.