A small private airplane crashed in northeast Philadelphia on Friday, igniting a massive fireball and sparking fires in a densely populated neighborhood, officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that six people were aboard the Learjet aircraft, but there has been no confirmation of casualties or survivors. The aircraft, which had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed around 2330 GMT.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have launched an investigation into the crash. Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged reports of six people on board, but no further details have been confirmed.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said authorities were deploying all necessary resources to respond to the disaster.
“We are offering all resources as emergency services respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” Shapiro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We’ll continue to provide updates as more information is available.”
Crash Site and Fire Response
The aircraft crashed near Cottman and Bustleton Avenues, across from Roosevelt Mall, a busy commercial district with homes, shops, and major roadways.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management labeled the crash a “major incident,” warning residents to avoid the area due to road closures, including parts of Roosevelt Boulevard.
“Major incident near Cottman and Bustleton Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia across from Roosevelt Mall. Roads closed in area including parts of Roosevelt Boulevard. Avoid area,” the city’s emergency management office posted on X.
Second U.S. Aviation Disaster in Days
The Philadelphia crash comes just two days after a passenger jet and a military helicopter collided near Washington’s Reagan National Airport, resulting in the deaths of 67 people—marking the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 25 years.
Authorities continue to assess the extent of damage caused by the Philadelphia crash as emergency crews work to contain the situation.
