Recap: Jet crash in Northeast Philly kills 6 on board, 1 in car

Jefferson Health shared with NBC10 that they provided care for 15 individuals after the deadly jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

A spokesperson said 12 have been since discharged, two have been admitted for further care, and one patient was transferred to another hospital.

A source shared with NBC10 that one of the victims -- a 10-year-old -- was recused by police and taken to Jefferson before being transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Officials held a news conference about the deadly medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed all six people on the plane were killed, one person was killed in a car by the impact of the crash and at least 19 people were hurt.

"The American Red Cross extends our deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by the tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia Friday night. In partnership with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Red Cross volunteers have opened a shelter at the Samuel Fels High School, 5500 Langdon Street, where four people spent Friday night.

We understand that people want to help and we appreciate that support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support the community. We ask the public not to bring material donations such as clothing or food to the shelter or Red Cross offices as we work with partners who are better equipped to handle such donations. The Red Cross is not accepting financial donations designated specifically for this event.”

Coping Tips

This is a painful time for many. If you or a loved one needs help, reach out to the free 24/7 multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for support.

During tragedies like this, it’s important for people to connect with and support each other. The Red Cross offers this advice:

The president of Mexico is confirming the six people on the plane that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia have died.

She says in a post on X, "I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in philadelphia. 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."

Lamento el fallecimiento de seis mexicanos en el accidente aéreo en Filadelfia, Estados Unidos. Las autoridades consulares están en contacto permanente con los familiares; he pedido a la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores que apoye en todo lo que se requiera. Mi solidaridad con…

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) February 1, 2025

There are several closures following the Northeast Philadelphia plane crash. Avoid these areas if you can.

Cottman Avenue is closed between Bustleton and Brous Avenues. The outer lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard are closed between Rhawn Street and Tyson Avenue.

Saint Vincent Street between Bustleton and Castor Avenues is also closed.

A pediatric patient and her mother were among the six people on board a medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, creating a massive explosion and fire, Shriners Hospitals for Children confirmed.

A spokesperson for the hospital released the following statement Friday night.

Shriners Children’s is heartbroken to confirm that one of our pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia this evening. The patient had received care from Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico on a contracted air ambulance when the crash happened. Because of patient privacy concerns, we cannot say any more about the patient and her family at this time.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event - as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground - and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action.

The Philadelphia Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, Flyers and Union each took to social media to release statements on the plane crash in Northeast Philly.

76ers release statement on crash

The 76ers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say that the team learned about the crash before their game.

"While we await more information, we send our thoughts and prayers to all of those impacted," the 76ers said in a statement.

❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/JwDDk0Sdu5

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 1, 2025

At a press conference on Friday night, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that shelter and assistance is available for anyone impacted by the medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

Shelter is available at Samuel Fels High School located on the 5500 block of Langdon Street.

Six people were injured after a small plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, a source confirmed with NBC10.

The six victims were all taken to Temple University Hospital's Jeanes Campus. Three people were treated and released while three others remain in the hospital, the source said. Officials have not yet revealed their conditions.

The victims include an 11-year-old boy who suffered head injuries, a 31-year-old man who suffered head injuries and a 30-year-old woman who suffered facial injuries, according to the source.

None of the injured victims were on the plane.

Gustavo Chaves was home with his wife Sam near the site of the crash when he suddenly felt what felt like an "earthquake," causing him to look outside and see an orange sky.

"(The) whole house shook. And then I was like, there's an earthquake. Because, you know, (when) it happened I was like, 'It's an earthquake again,'" Chaves recalled. "I opened the window and it's like daylight outside, like complete, just orange. And I was like, 'Something really bad happened.'"

President Donald Trump released a statement on the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday.

"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," Pres. Trump said on social media.

Red Cross disaster workers are responding to the scene after a plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday.

The workers are helping anyone who was displaced by the crash and fire, according to a spokesperson with the Red Cross.

The organization said that it is working with the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania state and federal partners to see how else they can assist.

One man spoke with NBC10's Aaron Baskerville about when the plane crashed on Friday and the moments after when he said he saw a person on fire.

He was inside the Bath and Body Works store inside the Roosevelt Mall when he said the building shook.

"Out of nowhere, everything just shook. I thought the buildings fell or something," he said.

He explained that he walked outside he saw what looked like a "huge explosion."

A spokesperson for SEPTA said the transit agency is helping with the response after a small plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday.

Two SEPTA buses are accommodating first responders, the spokesperson said. They are set up at the intersection of Bustleton and Cottman Avenues.

Rev. Todd Sheridan Yeary, a former FAA air traffic controller, said with clearance to takeoff and an aircraft that has a reputation for airworthiness, something likely happened in the moments after its wheels left the ground.

"Something happened rather catastrophically after the aircraft lifted off," he said on NBC News NOW. "We don’t know exactly what it is."

He said the model of the jet is "high performance."

"It is very reliable," Yeary said. "It is very unusual to see what we’ve just witnessed."

Air temperature around the time of the crash was 49 degrees, with light rain, some fog, and a wind guest of 30 mph recorded just before 6 p.m., according to National Weather Service data for Philadelphia.

A pediatric patient who received care for a life-threatening illness in the United States was aboard the Learjet 55 that crashed in Philadelphia, according to Shai Gold, spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

The girl, one of six people on the flight, was returing to Tijuana, Mexico. The others on the plane included her mother, a pilot, a copilot, a doctor and a paramedic, Gold said. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance does not believe anyone on the plane survived the crash.

"All I can say is, the patient was sponsored by a third-partner charity to undergo life-saving treatment in the U.S.," Gold said. "She did her course of care. She was going home.

"She fought quite a lot to survive, and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home."

Due to privacy law, Gold said he could give no more details on the patient's condition or treatment.

The company Jet Rescue Air Ambulance released a statement on LinkedIn stating six people, including a pediatric patient, were on board a small plane that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker held a press conference just after 8:30 p.m. where she explained that the small airplane went down just after 6 p.m. on Friday.

Parker said that there are no reports of the number of fatalities as of right now.

Several dwellings and vehicles were impacted by the crash, Parker said. She later released a full statement on the crash.

"An aircraft crashed tonight in the vicinity of the Roosevelt Mall on Cottman Avenue. It occurred shortly after 6 p.m. this evening. We have no reports on the number of fatalities.," Parker wrote. "Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and everyone affected by this tragedy. Several dwellings and vehicles were impacted as well. We are urging people to stay away from the scene, and for neighbors to stay in their homes if they can. This is still an active scene under investigation. I want to say thank you to our first responders and local, state and federal partners who are working vigorously to make public safety and health a first priority here in our city. We will have further briefings as more information becomes available."

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement on Friday's small plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

I’ve spoken with @PhillyMayor and my team is in communication with @PhillyPD, @PhilaOEM, and @PhillyFireDept. We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.

We’ll continue to provide updates as more information…

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) February 1, 2025

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed on the social media platform X that six people were on board the small plane that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday after departing the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

Here is what we’ve learned thus far.

A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were reportedly 6 people on board.

The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The @FAANews and @NTSB will…

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 1, 2025