Arizona
Learjet that crashed with mother, child onboard had flown to Arizona days earlier
Video captures fiery aftermath of Learjet crash in Philadelphia
Authorities are investigating why a Learjet 55 medical transportation jet crashed over Northeast Philadelphia shortly after takeoff Friday night.
The Learjet that crashed in Philadelphia on Friday night while transporting a mother and her child had flown in Arizona earlier that week on Monday and Tuesday.
The medical transport flight was carrying six people, including the young patient and their mother, when it went down in Northeast Philadelphia, just miles from a small regional airport en route to Mexico.
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified,” medical transport company and plane owner, Jet Rescue, said in a statement.
The FAA initially reported that the medical flight was “en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.” Officials later clarified the destination was Mexico.
The young patient had been treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia. The return flight was headed to the patient and caretaker’s home in Mexico, the hospital said.
The medical flight would have no survivors, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Philadelphia authorities said they could not confirm fatalities immediately Friday night as crews of first responders and investigators worked at the large crash site near Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall.
The jet was captured on video exploding upon impact near a shopping center and a residential area close to Northeast Philadelphia Airport, the small regional airport from which the medical flight had departed.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management initially reported a “major incident” on its X account, formerly Twitter, just before 7 p.m. Friday. It later provided updates confirming details of the crash.
The reason for the crash is still unclear. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.