Philadelphia airplane crash newest: Medical jet with six aboard crashes into busy residential road in fiery explosion

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.”

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.

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:

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.

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.”

• 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

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.”

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.

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.