Six Mexican nationals were killed in a jet crash in Philadelphia Friday evening, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed in a post on X Saturday morning, with multiple fires and an undetermined number of injuries reported among people on the ground where the jet crashed.
First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. ... [+]
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement all six passengers onboard the flight were killed, adding “many people on the ground” were injured, though a number of injuries is not yet known.
Sheinbaum confirmed on X six Mexican nationals were on the flight and killed in the jet crash, stating Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the victims’ families.
Shriners Children’s Hospital, a medical facility in northeast Philadelphia, confirmed in a statement posted to X two of the victims on board were a pediatric patient, who had received treatment at the hospital before boarding the plane bound for Mexico, and the patient’s mother.
Parker said in a statement on X there are “no reports on the number of fatalities,” adding several homes and vehicles were “impacted,” though she did not say how or how many.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company that operated the jet, confirmed in a statement posted to LinkedIn there were four passengers and two crew members on board the plane, adding no names will be released until families of the victims have been notified.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed in a statement the jet was a Learjet 55 plane bound for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before its final stop in Mexico, which crashed around 6:30 p.m. EST.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
All six people onboard were Mexican nationals, and the plane was headed to a stop in Missouri before its final destination of Tijuana, Mexico, CNN reported. One of the victims was a patient who had received care at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for an illness, who was traveling on the plane back to Mexico with her mother. Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children’s Hospital, told CBS News the patient’s death is “extremely hard and extremely difficult” for hospital staff, and the staff had given her a “sendoff” before she left the hospital and boarded the plane. Bower said he is “certain” the patient enjoyed her sendoff celebration, adding the hospital’s staff worked to bring her “joy and laughter and excitement.” Multiple injuries were reported on the ground, and six people were treated for injuries at Temple University Hospital-Jeanes Campus, CNN reported.
The plane, a small Learjet 55 medical jet, had departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport and crashed just moments after leaving the airport, though it’s still unclear why the plane crashed. The plane was only in the air for a minute before crashing, Parker said in a statement, citing flight logs.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into the crash alongside the FAA, both agencies confirmed in statements. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said on X he has briefed President Donald Trump and offered support to Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa., and local officials. Shapiro said his office is in communication with first responders and is “offering all Commonwealth resources” while they respond to the “private plane crash.” Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said it is “sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia,” citing the “innocent souls lost.” “Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job,” Trump said.
The crash in Philadelphia comes two days after a commercial plane carrying dozens of people collided with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 67 people aboard the plane and helicopter were killed in the incident, which is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The agency said Friday all flight recorder devices from the two aircraft were recovered.
Video shows multiple fires after small plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia (ABC 6)
Philly plane crash: Small aircraft reportedly crashes in Northeast Philadelphia (Fox 29)
Plane crash in Philadelphia leaves multiple houses on fire, causes explosion (CBS News)