A small medical plane carrying six people crashed near a shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night, leaving no apparent survivors, sending a large fireball into the air and engulfing vehicles and homes in flames, the authorities said.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which owns the plane, said that there were four crew members — one pediatric patient and one escort — on board at the time of the crash.
“We have no information that there were any survivors, and by the intensity of the flames and the debris field and the sight of the crash and we are doubtful that there are any survivors,” said Shai Gold, a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.
He added that the company, which conducts between 600 and 700 flights a year and specializes in critical care patients, was not releasing any names until family members were notified and described the plane, a Learjet 55, as an “excellent plane.”
The plane was transporting a young female patient from Philadelphia, where her care had been completed, to her home in Mexico, Mr. Gold said. The plane had a planned stop in Missouri for fuel before its final destination, Tijuana International Airport, he said.
The patient’s condition and where she had received her care were not released. It was unclear if there were any casualties on the ground.
Cherelle Parker, the mayor of Philadelphia, did not provide any information about the number of fatalities but said at a news conference about 8:30 p.m. that “several dwellings and vehicles were impacted.”
He told Liberty News’ International Correspondent that residents should avoid touching anything that looked like debris and stay indoors if possible. Shelter was being provided for residents at Samuel Fels High School, located about two miles from the crash site.
LND/SAkIB
