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Pediatric patient among 6 people on plane that crashed in Northeast ...

Pediatric patient among 6 people on plane that crashed in Northeast
A pediatric patient, an escort and four crew members were on the plane when it crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, according to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A medical transport jet carrying six people slammed into a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood moments after taking off on Friday, erupting in a fireball and engulfing several homes in fire.

It happened near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard just after 6 p.m. Friday.

Moment of impact: Plane crash caught on multiple videos in Northeast Philadelphia

Multiple cameras captured the plane crash and explosion in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.

Where was the plane going?

According to the FAA, a Learjet 55 departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down.

Police say the plane was on a medical assignment. The FAA and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said six people were on board.

In addition to four crew members, there were two passengers, including a pediatric patient, according to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a company based in Mexico that provides global air ambulance services.

"At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors," the company said in the statement. "No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified. Our immediate concern is for the patient's family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground."

Speaking at a news conference shortly after 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said officials could not yet provide a number of fatalities.

"So right now we're just asking for prayers," she told reporters.

Video shows vehicles and other debris on fire after plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

Video shows vehicles and other debris burning on the ground after a plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.

The Philadelphia Fire Department advised residents to avoid the area of Calvert and St. Vincent streets.

Mayor Parker urged residents not to touch any debris and to call 911. A shelter is available for residents at Samuel Fels High School located on the 5500 block of Langdon Street, the mayor said.

Roosevelt Blvd. closed between Rhawn St & Tyson Ave

Roosevelt Blvd. closed between Rhawn St & Tyson Ave

Action News has learned several others in the immediate area were taken to the hospital with various burn injuries.

Officials from Temple University Hospital - Jeanes Campus told ABC News they have received six patients. Three were treated and released, while three remain in fair condition.

It's not believed the victims hospitalized were from the plane.

Officials said at least one firefighter was hospitalized for a breathing issue.

WATCH: Witness describes horrific scene, seeing woman on fire

Witness describes horrific scene, seeing woman on fire after plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

A large fire burned in the wake of the crash, prompting a significant response. Vehicles, homes and even people in the area could be seen on fire.

"It was just horrific. I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy's and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up and I pulled over and basically, it was just real bad around here," said one witness, who described the incident as "earthquakish."

"We heard an explosion and then saw the aftermath of flames and smoke. Common sense told me that I should not get close to it," said witness Jimmy Wiess, who was in the area looking for a spot to have dinner.

Witness described moment of plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

Fireball caught on video

A doorbell camera captured footage of the plane plunging in a streak of white and exploding as it hit the ground near the Roosevelt Mall.

"All we heard was a loud roar and didn't know where it was coming from. We just turned around and saw the big plume," said Jim Quinn, the owner of the doorbell camera.

"It was a big ball of fire that went up into the sky and the whole gas station just started shaking. Little debris and stuff was flying so I tried to keep the door shut and not let customers out until the debris was gone," said Mikey, who works at a gas station near the crash site.

"Once I saw the big ball of fire, I came outside and started seeing a bunch of plane pieces. It looked, honestly, like a human foot or something and a shoe still on the side of the street."

First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to "an aircraft incident."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joined second press conference held after the crash and started by saying, "tonight we saw the best of Philly. We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We was Pennsylvanians looking out for one another."

The Governor reiterated the Mayor's gratitude for the Philadelphia Fire Department and Philadelphia Police Department for their work.

There are currently 45 state troopers on the ground in Northeast Philadelphia, 25 members of PennDOT, members of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Authority and members of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Governor Shapiro said he spoke with Transportation Secretary Duffy, who offered his full support to Northeast Philadelphia and has dispatched 4 members of the FAA and 4 members of the NTSB to the scene.

Gov. Josh Shapiro gives update on deadly Philadelphia plane crash

President Donald Trump released this statement on his Truth Social account, "So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all."

A continuous stream of police vehicles and fire trucks initially poured into the scene, taking over business parking lots as emergency responders to the crash and fire directed people away and set up a perimeter stretching blocks in each direction.

Within about an hour, the cry of sirens and shouted orders had faded into relative quiet at the edges of the closed-off area, and darkness settled in as drivers passing by peered out trying to see what was happening.

Videos posted to social media show fiery scene after plane crash in Philadelphia

Numerous videos posted to social media showed the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.

The crash came just two days after the deadliest U.S. air disaster in a generation.

On Wednesday night, an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided in midair in Washington, D.C., with an Army helicopter carrying three soldiers. There were no survivors in that crash.

"You don't want to think the worst things, but obviously it is very concerning to have two aviation disasters so close together when we haven't had one in quite some time. So it's very concerning, for sure."

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker gives update after small plane crash

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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