An air ambulance carrying six people, including a young girl, has crashed in a residential area of Philadelphia causing chaotic scenes on the ground.
The Learjet 55 aircraft departed the Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Friday evening and been travelling to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before it lost control shortly after takeoff.
Doorbell footage caught the jet hurtling to the ground before exploding in a large fireball after less than a minute in the air.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that there were six people onboard the jet. It is unclear if they managed to eject or were able to escape.
In their initial statement, FAA had originally reported that there was only two people on board.
The jet was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, and according to a statement from them was transporting a young girl who had been receiving treatment.
Four crew members had been onboard the flight, alongside the young girl, who remains unknown, and her mother. They were travelling home to Tijuana, Mexico.
They said: ‘At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. 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.’
Spokesperson Shai Gold told NBC Philadelphia that the company believe nobody onboard survived.
Gold said: ‘The patient was sponsored by a third-partner charity to undergo life-saving treatment in the U.S. She did her course of care. She was going home.’
Police sources told CBS that there were several injuries being reported to them on the ground. It is not yet known whether there have been any fatalities.
Emergency services are on the scene battling the flames from the collision.
The aircraft appeared to hit several buildings and cars in the area leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Shriners Hospitals for Children confirmed that the young girl had been one of their patients.
In a statement, they said: ‘The patient had received care from Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico on a contracted air ambulance when the crash happened.
‘Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event – as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground – and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action.’
Flightradar data says the plane had reached an altitude of 1,650 feet before reporting a vertical drop of -11,008 fpm.
Officials in the city said that police and fire crews are on the scene, with nearby roads being closed.
Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke with reporters but said she was unable to confirm the number of fatalities in the crashed.
Parker also said that houses and cars had been impacted by the crash and urged people to stay inside while crews worked the scene.
CNN obtained audio between the air traffic controller and the plane after the collision, in which the controller asks: ‘Medevac med service, northeast tower. Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency?’
After a period of silence, the controller is then heard saying: ‘We have a lost aircraft.’
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency are advising locals to stay away from the area.
Governor Josh Shapiro posted on X saying: ‘I’ve spoken with @PhillyMayor and my team is in communication with @PhillyPD, @PhilaOEM, and @PhillyFireDept.
‘We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.
‘We’ll continue to provide updates as more information is available.’
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman also said: ‘I’ve been in contact with @Philly Mayor and awaiting further information on the tragic small plane crash in Northeast Philly.
‘For folks in the area, please follow guidance from local officials and police officers.’
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared a picture of himself to his social media saying he had just briefed President Trump on the incident.
That was before President Trump posted on Truth Social saying; ‘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.’
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
In a 2018 profile of the company by Air Med and Rescue, Jet Rescue is headquartered in Mexico City.
They specialize in ‘long-range critical-care air ambulance missions’, according to the report.
On their website, they have highlighted several cases where they helped transport newborns with serious health issues.
The crash comes just days after an American Airlines passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter over Washington DC.
All 67 people in both the helicopter and the plane perished in the horrific midair collision.
