PHILADELPHIA — A small plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia today, officials said, with a fiery explosion observed upon impact. At least seven people are feared dead.
It happened near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard just after 6 p.m.
According to the FAA, a Learjet 55 departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down.
Police say the plane was on a medical assignment. There were reportedly six people on board, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
The FAA had initially reported there were two people on board. The agency did not have any update on their condition.
In addition to several flight crew members, sources say there was a pilot, medic, flight crew and possibly a patient on the plane.
A large fire burned in the wake of the crash, prompting a significant response. Vehicles, homes and even people in the area could be seen on fire.
“It was just horrific. I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky light up and I pulled over and basically it was just real bad around here,” said one witness, who described the incident as “Earthquakish.”
“It lit up the whole sky,” he added.
Fireball caught on video
Several doorbell captures captured the horrific moment of impact as plumes of smoke billowed into the air.
“It was a big ball of fire that went up into the sky and the whole gas station just started shaking. Little debris and stuff was flying so I tried to keep the door shut and not let customers out until the debris was gone so nobody got hurt or anything,” said Mikey, who works at a gas station near the crash site.
“Once I saw the big ball of fire, I came outside and started seeing a bunch of plane pieces. It looked, honestly, like a human foot or something and a shoe still on the side of the street.”
Several others in the immediate area were taken to the hospital with various burn injuries. There was no word on their conditions.
The Philadelphia Fire Department advised residents to avoid the area of Calvert and St. Vincent streets.
The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to “an aircraft incident.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his team is communicating with local officials and first responders and is “offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.”
The FAA and NTSB say it is investigating.
