iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A small plane crashed into several buildings in north-east Philadelphia on Friday evening, January 31, sparking fires in homes and vehicles and injuring people on the ground, reports said.
The jet, a Learjet 55, was on a medical transport mission, carrying doctors and a child patient when it went down. There were six people on board.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene during the evening rush hour and advised the public to stay clear of the area, which was littered with debris from the crash. Local authorities have yet to confirm the number of fatalities, but officials are urging prayers for those affected.
Another plane crash just now in Philadelphia; we can’t rush to judgment until we know if the pilot is black or white.pic.twitter.com/7zSG1n0rn1
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) January 31, 2025
The crash occurred just a few blocks from the Roosevelt Mall in a densely populated area, surrounded by terraced homes and shops. Disturbing footage shared online showed the plane descending rapidly and igniting a massive fireball upon impact.
The plane had taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport around 6:30 PM and crashed less than four miles away. It was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The aircraft had arrived in Philadelphia from Florida just hours before the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident.
President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the loss of life, stating that his administration was fully engaged in the response.
The weather conditions at the time of the crash were cloudy and rainy, with winds between 10 to 20 mph. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.
This incident follows a tragic collision just days earlier in Washington DC between a commercial jet and a military helicopter, which is suspected to have killed all 67 people on board, marking the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. in over two decades.
(Photo courtesy: Screengrab from X)
