Philadelphia aircraft crash – newest: Medical jet crashes into busy residential avenue moments after take-off
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A mid-size air ambulance plane crashed on Friday night shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, plowing into a residential area with densely packed row houses, setting off fires.
The flight, a Learjet 55 registered to a medical transport company, was reportedly carrying six passengers.
It crashed near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, near the Roosevelt Mall, according to officials.
“There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second,” local resident Michael Schiavone told NPR.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said the state was offering all “Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.”
The crash in Pennsylvania comes just two days after an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying a combined 67 people collided, likely leaving no survivors.
Live feed: Scene after a small plane carrying two people crashed in Philadelphia
Mayor has ‘no reports’ on number of fatalities
Mayor Cherelle Parker said during a press conference Friday night that officials have “no reports” so far on the number of deaths from a jet that crashed into a residential area in Philadelphia.
“As of right now we have no reports on the number of fatalities so right now we’re just asking for prayers,” she said, noting the crash had impacted “several dwelling and vehicles.”
She urged residents to call 911 about debris and avoid the crash scene.
The FAA has said six people were onboard.
WATCH: Philadelphia plane crash caught on Ring video
Transportation Secretary provides update on Philadelphia plane crash
Transportation Sean Duffy has provided an initial update about the plane that just crashed in Philadelphia.
The aircraft, a Learjet 55, crashed around 6:30 p.m, as it left Philadelphia on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
“There were reportedly 6 people on board,” Duffy said.
The FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash.
PHOTOS: Crews put out fires after jet crash in Philadelphia
Plane crashes in busy residential area near Philadelphia mall, sparking fires
A business jet has crashed near a mall in Philadelphia, with multiple casualties reported, according to several law enforcement sources.
Harrowing footage of the incident, from multiple angles, showed an enormous explosion after a twin-engine Learjet 55 came down in a “high traffic” residential neighborhood of northeast Philadelphia.
Eyewitnesses said the sky was “lit up” by the explosion, which was later declared a “major incident” by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
According to the FAA, the plane departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:30 p.m. local time, en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri and was airborne for only about 40 seconds, reaching an altitude of just 1,600 feet.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Source: independent.co.uk
