First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Matt Rourke | AP
An air ambulance carrying six people crashed near a mall in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, the company that operates the aircraft said.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said it could not confirm any survivors among those on board its plane, which included four crew members, a pediatric patient and the patient’s escort, according to a statement.
“Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground,” the company said.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said at an evening news conference that the total number of casualties was not yet known. She said “several dwellings and vehicles were impacted.”
The Learjet 55 departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, the FAA said in a statement
The plane crashed around 6:30 pm. near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center less than 3 miles from the airport, according to Philadelphia police and fire first responders.
Officials have not confirmed deaths or injuries. Video showed smoke and fire in the area of the crash.
First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Matt Rourke | AP
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the FAA said, referring to the National Transportation Safety Board. “The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on X that he’s in touch with Philadelphia officials and will provide updates as he gets them.
“We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” he said.
Ring camera video of the crash verified by NBC News showed an airborne object descending at an angle in a ball of fire, a smaller, parallel object beside it, also apparently on fire, into the dense community before detonating on impact and appearing to shake the ground.
Rev. Todd Sheridan Yeary, a former FAA air traffic controller, said with clearance to takeoff and an aircraft that has a reputation for airworthiness, something likely happened in the moments after its wheels left the ground.
“Something happened rather catastrophically after the aircraft lifted off,” he said on NBC News NOW. “We don’t know exactly what it is.”
First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Matt Rourke | AP
He said the model of the jet is “high performance.”
“It is very reliable,” Yeary said. “It is very unusual to see what we’ve just witnessed.”
Air temperature around the time of the crash was 49 degrees, with light rain, some fog, and a wind guest of 30 mph recorded just before 6 p.m., according to National Weather Service data for Philadelphia.
The crash comes just days after the deadliest aviation incident in the U.S. in years.
On Wednesday, 67 people were killed when a passenger plane collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.
