Witnesses at the scene of a horrific crash involving a Learjet 55 ambulance plane in Philadelphia describe “body parts everywhere” as local emergency officials continue to assess the extent of the damage.
According to Air Traffic Control recordings, the crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday night, less than 30 seconds after the plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The crash occurred less than three miles from the airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights. According to Philadelphia’s emergency management office, there was a “major incident” at the crash site, and all roads in the area were closed.
The plane was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, and a spokesperson for the company told NBC News that it carried four crew members, one pediatric patient, and one guardian. The spokesperson stated that they do not expect any survivors. According to the spokesperson, all passengers on the plane were Mexican nationals.
According to the spokesperson, the patient was a juvenile who traveled to the United States for “life-saving medical treatment.”
Flight data showed a small jet taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and disappearing from radar about 30 seconds later after reaching an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters).
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management posted a photo on the social media platform X of a thick cloud of smoke in the sky near the Roosevelt Mall, where first responders were blocking traffic and crowds gathered on a street corner.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates air crashes, stated that it was gathering information on the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately provide details about the crash.
Vehicles in the area were seen on fire, and several homes were reported to be on fire, prompting local officials to warn residents to avoid the area. According to ABC News, the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport for “an aircraft incident.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stated that his team is in contact with local officials and first responders and is “offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.”
Shapiro announced at a news conference Friday night that four officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on their way to the city to begin their investigations.
