A twin-engine medevac jet crashed in a neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia Friday night, causing a fiery explosion, according to authorities and video from the scene. A Learjet 55 crashed around 6. Radio audio from air traffic control describes the downed Learjet as a "medevac" flight. The plane reached feet shortly after takeoff before plunging, according to data from ADS-B Exchange.
The data shows the final speed of descent was 11, feet per minute. As an air traffic controller tries to contact the plane, there's a callout, heard on LiveATC. Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency? A pediatric patient, their escort and four crew members were aboard the flight, said Jet Rescue, the air ambulance company operating the flight.
Several houses and vehicles "were impacted," Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a news conference Friday evening, but added that "we have no reports on the number of fatalities.
More information will be released as it becomes available. First responders work the scene after a plane crash in Philadelphia, on Friday.
A photo of the twin-engine jet, which has a tail number that indicates it is registered in Mexico, shows it has "Jet Rescue" painted on it.
