Philadelphia, January 31, 2025 – A major emergency response was launched in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening after a small aircraft crashed, triggering an explosion and multiple fires near a retail complex and residential area. Law enforcement, firefighters, and medical personnel arrived in large numbers to manage the crisis and assess the damage, according to regional news reports.
The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, across from Roosevelt Mall, officials confirmed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the aircraft, a Learjet 55, had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport bound for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before going down, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.
According to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the aircraft was carrying six individuals at the time of the crash, including four crew members, a pediatric patient, and an escort. However, the FAA initially reported only two occupants, and authorities have yet to clarify the discrepancy or release the victims’ identities.
While local media cited police sources reporting multiple fatalities, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker stated that the exact number of casualties remained uncertain as emergency teams continued search and recovery efforts.
The crash resulted in a massive fire, severely damaging a residence and multiple nearby vehicles. Local news broadcasts showed thick black smoke billowing from the scene as firefighters fought to contain the blaze.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) classified the event as a “major incident” without specifying the condition of the victims. Several roads in the area remain closed to facilitate ongoing rescue operations and investigations.
This catastrophe follows closely on the heels of the tragic Washington, D.C., accident, where a collision between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2009.
In response to this critical situation, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated via social media that the state was deploying all available resources to support rescue operations.
The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing. Authorities are expected to provide further details soon.