A medical air ambulance carrying a young patient and her mother tragically crashed in a densely populated area of Philadelphia, claiming the lives of all six people on board.
The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance was transporting the girl and her mother from Northeast Philadelphia Airport to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, as they were en route home to Tijuana, Mexico, according to the company.
Crash Details
The aircraft went down just 30 seconds after takeoff, erupting into flames and igniting several homes. The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall in the Rhawnhurst area of Pennsylvania at approximately 6:30 PM local time on Friday (11:30 PM UK time). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that four crew members were also on board.
The plane had climbed to an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters) and covered a distance of about three miles (5 kilometers) from the airport before it crashed.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Mexico-based company, stated: "At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors."
Shai Gold, a corporate strategy representative for the company, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. "This was a very seasoned crew," she said. "We are a leading air ambulance company, flying 600 to 700 times a year. We don't yet know what went wrong."
Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, battling flames that took nearly two hours to extinguish. While reports suggested possible injuries on the ground, no official confirmation was provided.
Nearby residents recounted the moment of impact. A doorbell camera captured the aircraft plummeting in a white streak before exploding on impact. Jim Quinn, the camera's owner, described hearing a loud roar before witnessing a massive plume of smoke.
Michael Schiavone, a local resident, likened the impact to a "mini earthquake," saying his home shook from the blast. Reviewing his security footage, he described the crash as resembling a missile strike.
Official Reactions and Investigation
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro extended his condolences: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those grieving this tragic loss."
Former President Donald Trump also commented on social media, expressing his sadness over the incident. "More innocent lives lost. Our first responders are doing an incredible job in these difficult moments."
The FAA announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would lead the investigation. An NTSB investigator arrived on-site, and additional officials were expected to join the inquiry on Saturday.
Second Major U.S. Plane Crash in a Week
This devastating incident follows another tragic aviation accident earlier in the week. A plane collided with a U.S. Army helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 64 people on the aircraft and three on the helicopter.
Authorities have since recovered 48 bodies from the Potomac River, where the plane fell upon impact, with 28 victims identified. Emergency teams continue recovery efforts along the shoreline, with additional personnel deployed to retrieve the remaining bodies and aircraft debris.
As investigations into both tragedies continue, officials remain committed to uncovering the causes behind these devastating crashes.