PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The medical transport jet carrying a patient and her mother back to Mexico was in the air less than a minute before it plunged to the ground in a busy corridor of Northeast Philadelphia, the National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday evening.
“This was a high-impact crash and the plane is highly fragmented. There is substantial impact on the entire community,” said NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy.
The crash claimed at least seven lives and injured another 19 people following an explosion that sent debris flying down the block.
Officials identified the mother and daughter as Lizeth Murillo Osuna and Valentina Guzman Murillo.
“The debris is scattered. It is very dangerous, and so I encourage everyone to stay out of the accident site. It’s very dangerous,” Homendy noted.
Officials did not specify the extent of those injured but did say the injury and death toll could change, adding that it could be days or more before we know the totals for sure.
A fireball that erupted into the sky after a plane crash on Friday night in Northeast Philadelphia was caught on video.
Jefferson Health told Action News that they provided care for 15 individuals, and 12 have since been discharged. Two people have been admitted for further care and one patient was transferred to another hospital.
Temple University Hospital said Saturday morning that six patients were treated and released from the Jeanes Campus. One person is hospitalized at Main Campus and is listed in fair condition.
One pediatric patient is being treated at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
The cockpit voice recorder, which will aid investigators in learning what happened, is still being sought.
“It could be intact but likely it is damaged. It may be fragmented,” said Homendy, adding that the device, known as a black box, is orange in color.
Homendy stressed that it could be in pieces or a different color due to the blast.
Citizens or business owners who spot debris or the cockpit voice recorder are urged to email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.
WATCH FULL: NTSB holds briefing on deadly medical jet crash in NE Philadelphia
The jet left the runway at 6:06 p.m. and climbed to 1,500 feet, officials said. It took a slight right turn followed by a slight left turn before it plummeted to the ground, the NTSB said.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, officials said the crash is being classified as an accident and it doesn’t appear there were any issues communicated to air traffic control.
“In fact, the recording that we have, there is an attempt by air traffic controllers to get a response from the flight crew, that they didn’t receive,” Homendy explained.
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.
Officials said five structures were ablaze after the crash, which have all been extinguished.
Action News is getting a new view of the destruction after a deadly plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia
Investigators are still assessing damage in a four to six-block area, where they are continuing a grid search of the scene to ensure they have accounted for everyone and found all evidence, as well as checking for any structural damage.
Along with the debris field in the area of the impact site, Philadelphia Managing Director Adam Thiel said they are also investigating debris in a “remote area” where “something happened with the aircraft.” He said, “That’s something we’ll leave the NTSB to talk about.”
During Saturday’s briefing, Homendy said she couldn’t comment but investigators would evaluate those claims.
Thiel emphasized that the work to count the number of victims of this crash is still underway. He urged the public to call 911 if they’re worried someone is missing.
“If you haven’t seen somebody, you think somebody might have been in this area, you have a relative in this area and you haven’t seen or heard from them, and you’re concerned, call 911 and we will take it from there,” he said.
Chopper 6 was overhead Roosevelt Blvd., where debris spanned several blocks after a plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia
Parker continues to urge residents to stay away from the scene and to also call 911 if they find any debris.
The mayor also said no donations are needed and there is no official GoFundMe.
Anyone in need of mental health support can call 215-685-6440 or visit dbhids.org.
Mayor Parker, Gov. Shapiro and other officials provided an update on the Northeast Philadelphia plane crash on Saturday.
If you are missing or concerned about any loved ones, Mayor Parker advises you to call 911.
A shelter is available for residents at Samuel Fels High School located on the 5500 block of Langdon Street, the mayor said.
Action News got a new look at daybreak on Saturday morning at the destruction that spans several blocks.
A crater can be seen in the roadway where the medical jet made impact.
A crater can be seen in the roadway where the medical jet made impact.
Chopper 6 was overhead, where charred vehicles and burned buildings could be seen as federal investigators arrived to examine the scene.
Charred vehicles are left amid the destruction after a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia
Video of the crash quickly began circulating on social media, many showing graphic images from the scene.
Debris from the crash is being found up to a quarter mile away from the impact site.
A video obtained by Action News shows people inside a diner ducking for cover after the blast. One man sitting inside the diner was injured after being struck by debris.
READ MORE: People in diner duck for cover after plane crash, explosion in Northeast Philadelphia
Video from inside a diner show people ducking for cover as debris flies from the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
The plane carrying a child, her mother and four other people went down near the Roosevelt Mall around 6:10 p.m. Friday.
The Learjet 55 crashed near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, according to authorities. The flight was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri with a final destination in Mexico when it went down.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, confirmed early Saturday that all six on board the plane were killed.
“I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia, United States. The consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families; I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support them in whatever way is required. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends,” she said in a post on X.
Shriners Children’s Hospital confirmed to Action News that the child on board had received care from the hospital and was being taken back to her home country of Mexico, along with her mother, when the crash happened.
Several buildings and cars were damaged after a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia
Speaking at a follow-up press briefing Friday night, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said dozens of state troopers and other state personnel were on hand to offer help and praised local responders and community members.
“We saw neighbor helping neighbor. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another,” he said.
Moment of impact: Plane crash caught on multiple videos in Northeast Philadelphia
Multiple cameras captured the plane crash and explosion in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night.
In a statement posted to the social media platform Truth Social, President Donald Trump said: “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
There was a temporary ground stop after the crash but that has since been lifted. However, Atlantic Aviation is closed.
The Philadelphia plane crash comes just days after 67 people died after an American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C. The DC plane crash marks the first major commercial crash in the U.S. in more than 15 years.
Aviation analyst talks to GMA after two major plane crashes in the U.S. in just one week.
Resources for residents affected by the crash
Call 1-800 Red Cross for property damage or for help in filing a claim. If you need assistance other than shelter today, for now, call 911.
Outages
PECO: 1-800-841-4141
PGW: 215-235-1212
Water Department: 215-685-6300
Road Closures
Cottman Ave: Between Bustleton and Brous Aves
Roosevelt Boulevard: Outer lanes from Rhawn St to Tyson Aves
St. Vincent St: Between Bustleton and Castor Aves
Mental Health
There are resources available through the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services. Visit their website www.DBHIDS.org or you can call to speak to someone at 215-685-6440.
Faith-Based Concerns
Contact Bishop Wilfred Speakes at 267-246-8677 or Imam Quaiser Abdullah at 215-823-9782 from the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Affairs.
Community Engagement
Contact Basil Lester at 215-873-3743, District 6 Manager, Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement.
Residents affected by the aircraft incident can text RECOVERPHL to 888-777 to get the latest updates and information sent straight to their phones.
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