This Friday after 6 pm local time, a Mexican Learjet 55 air ambulance crashed in northeast Philadelphia, in a residential area located between Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, near the Roosevelt Mall. On board the jet were six people, a pediatric patient, a family member, two doctors, and two crew members, all of Mexican nationality.
According to the initial information, the plane was heading to Springfield, Missouri, and its final destination was Tijuana, Mexico.
How did the accident happen?
The accident occurred less than 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) away from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which mainly serves business jets and charter flights.
The jet quickly disappeared from the radar, 30 seconds after taking off from the airport at 6:06 pm and reaching an altitude of 487 meters (1,600 feet).
Different videos posted on social media show the plane descending at high speed and then generating a large explosion.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a press conference that at the moment there was no information about the victims, but she pointed out that several houses and vehicles had been damaged.
A video taken with a phone by a witness moments after the crash showed a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the intersection of two avenues.
What is known about the air ambulance?
The owner of the plane, Jet Rescue, provides global air ambulance services. The company, based in Mexico, confirmed that there were six people on board and in a statement said, "We cannot confirm any survivors...Our immediate concern is for the patient's family, our staff, their families, and other victims who may have been injured on the ground."
According to NBC News, the patient would be a girl who was receiving treatment for a serious illness and who was returning to Tijuana with her mother.
The president Donald Trump said on his Truth Social network: “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged.”