Air Ambulance with six persons on Board Crashes in United States

February 01, 2025, New Delhi: Two days after a midair collision of a passenger plane and a military helicopter in the United States, a twin-engine medevac jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood in northeast Philadelphia on Friday night, triggering a massive explosion, according to authorities as reported by CNN.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed in a statement to CNN that the aircraft, a Learjet 55, went down around 6:30 p.m. ET shortly after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The jet, operated by air ambulance company Jet Rescue, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri with six people on board.

According to air traffic control radio communications, the aircraft was identified as a medevac flight. Data from ADS-B Exchange shows the plane climbed to 1,650 feet before plummeting at a final descent rate of 11,000 feet per minute as reported by CNN.

In audio obtained from LiveATC.net, an air traffic controller is heard repeatedly attempting to contact the aircraft: “Medevac med service, northeast tower. Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency?” Shortly thereafter, another transmission states, “We have a lost aircraft.”

Jet Rescue confirmed the flight was transporting a paediatric patient, their escort, and four crew members. “At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors,” the company said in a statement.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker reported that multiple houses and vehicles were affected but did not specify the number of casualties. CNN reported that several injuries had been reported on the ground.

“No names are being released until family members have been notified,” Jet Rescue added. “Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and any victims on the ground. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Images from the scene show the aircraft, bearing a tail number registered in Mexico, with “Jet Rescue” painted on its fuselage along with medical insignia. Video from CNN affiliate WPVI captured flames and thick smoke rising as emergency crews responded. The Philadelphia Fire Department later confirmed the blaze was under control.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated that he had spoken with Mayor Parker and was mobilizing state resources for the emergency response. Federal officials, including Senator John Fetterman and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, were also briefed on the situation. President Donald Trump had been informed of the crash, Duffy confirmed in a post on X.

This tragedy comes as investigators continue to examine another fatal aviation incident earlier in the week. On Wednesday, an American Airlines regional jet collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, approximately 150 miles to the northeast of Philadelphia. The jet, carrying 64 passengers from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter’s three crew members are all presumed dead.