Emergency crews are responding to an explosion in Northeast Philadelphia after a small medical jet crashed in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue, Philadephia police confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia.
The medical plane, a Learjet 55, was going from Philadelphia to Springfield, Missouri, leaving the Northeast Philadelphia Airport when tragedy struck. The plane crashed into a neighborhood outside the Roosevelt Mall just moments after leaving the airstrip at around 6:07 p.m. The first call went out to officials at 6:12 p.m.
United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said there were six people onboard at the time of the crash. According to a statement from Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the six people were four crew members, a pediatric patient, and the patient’s escort.
A spokesperson for the company said the pediatric patient had just finished treatment in Philadelphia and was being taken back to Mexico. In a previous statement, the company said, “At this time we cannot confirm any survivors.”
The company continued adding no names are being released until family members are notified.
It’s unclear at this time if they were ejected or able to escape. There are several injuries reported on the ground, police added.
According to a Temple University Hospital spokesperson, six people were taken to Temple’s Jeanes Campus from the Cottman and Roosevelt Boulevard crash. Three people were treated and released and three are in fair condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
“All hands on deck” Mayor Parker, city officials hold news conference
Mayor Cherelle Parker was joined by several city officials as she spoke at a news conference just after 8:30 p.m. Friday night.
“An aircraft went down in the vicinity of the Roosevelt Mall on Cottman Avenue. This occurred shortly after 6 p.m. this evening. As of right now, we have no reports on the number of fatalities,” Parker said. “So right now, we’re just asking for prayers. For any and everyone who may have been affected.”
Parker said several homes and vehicles were impacted but it’s important that residents and neighbors in the area do not touch anything.
“We’re urging you to please stay away from the scene. If you see debris, call 911. Don’t touch anything. This is still an active scene under investigation,” Parker said.
She said this was the first of likely many briefings to come Friday evening. The mayor said all of the federal and state partners are either en route to Philadelphia or already on the ground. The mayor proceeded to thank the first responders.
In Parker’s second news conference just before 10 p.m., she was joined by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The mayor said a shelter is now available for anyone needing housing or support at Samuel Fels High School located at 5500 Langdon Street.
“The mayor preaches about ‘one Philly’, she talks about a unified approach to governing every day. What you’re seeing here is a unified response to an awful aviation disaster,” Shapiro said. “For as awful as that aviation disaster was, tonight we also saw the best of Philly. We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another.”
Multiple rowhomes on fire, plane parts hit cars
Multiple homes are on fire in the area of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard following the crash, fire officials said.
Citizen App
Police sources told CBS News Philadelphia’s Chief Investigative Reporter Joe Holden that parts of the plane hit cars in the area. Some businesses near the Roosevelt Mall are on fire, sources said.
The area, where the crash happened, especially near Cottman and Roosevelt Boulevard is a densely residential neighborhood and packed with rows of rowhomes.
The debris was seen as far away as Tyson Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, sources told CBS News Philadelphia.
Ring camera video from a home in the area captured the moment the jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia.
CBS Philadelphia
Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management shared a photo of the scene in Northeast Philadelphia. Officials said roads are closed in the area including parts of Roosevelt Boulevard. Residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area as several authorities respond.
Philadelphia OEM said the drivers should expect the extended closure of Cottman Avenue between Roosevelt Boulevard and Bustleton Avenue and the outer southbound lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard as they continue to respond to the scene.
Neighbors felt their homes shake
Neighbors in the Northeast Philadelphia area have called CBS Philadelphia reporting their homes shook when the plane went down.
A 10-year-old boy on the way home from hockey practice talked about what he saw.
“I saw blinking lights coming from the sky. And I just saw them going down,” he said. “It was really scary.”
It’s unclear at this time what led to the crash. The status of those who were injured was also not immediately available.
Jimmy Weis was driving around the area at the time of the plane crash.
“I just was driving and I saw a lot of police activity and then people texting me. I was close here and that there was a plane crash,” said Weis. “And my daughter who GPS me, freaked, called me and was making sure that I was OK.”
CBS Philadelphia
A man who lives nearby said he was inside his house talking to his brother when the plane crashed.
“I don’t want to say it was like an earthquake, but it was like someone knocking on the door really hard,” he said.
He said that was the moment when he and his brother ran out of their house to see what he described as chaotic as neighbors ran towards the crash.
FAA responds to crash
The Federal Aviation Administration provided a statement to CBS News just before 7:30 p.m. The FAA said the crash happened around 6:30 p.m. EST on Friday after a Learjet 55 left the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Two people were on board. The plane was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The NTSB is leading the investigation.
Here’s the full statement from the FAA:
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 31, after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were two people on board. The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.
President Trump, Gov. Josh Shapiro, officials respond
President Donald Trump shared his sentiments on Truth Social.
“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.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he’s spoken with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and that the governor’s office is in communication with the Philadelphia Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and Philadephia Fire Department.
“We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” Shapiro said on X.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll who represents the 6th District and is chair of the Transportation and Utilities Committee described the crash as an active emergency response situation with reported mass casualties.
“My heart is so heavy as we continue to learn more about this tragic plane crash in Northeast Philly. We are in direct communication with our emergency response teams to monitor the ongoing impacts to the immediate and surrounding area. This is an active emergency response situation, sadly, with reported mass casualties.
Right now, our focus is on the needs of our first responders on the ground, as well as the individuals and families impacted by this tragedy. We ask that people please avoid the area. We will continue to monitor as this unfolds. Our prayers are with everyone right now.”
United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said he is monitoring the crash in Philadelphia and heading to the FAA to learn more.
Congressman Brendan Boyle, who represents the 2nd District, also issued a statement.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the first responders – especially our brave Philadelphia firefighters-who acted quickly and courageously. Their dedication and service to our community are truly remarkable,” Congressman Brendan Boyle released a statement.
In a follow-up post, he said, “Devastating news of a plane crash in my district. My heart goes out to the victims.”
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
