A small plane crashed into a neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia on Friday, igniting a large fire and causing injuries both in the air and on the ground, authorities reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially stated that two people were aboard the plane but later updated the number to six. It remains unclear whether the passengers were ejected or managed to escape the wreckage. Several individuals on the ground were reported to have sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
The Learjet 55 had just taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield, Missouri, when it went down. The plane crashed in a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall, a densely populated residential area, setting multiple homes and vehicles ablaze.
Emergency crews promptly arrived at the scene, with flames and smoke visible from a distance. Local media outlet CBS News reported ongoing efforts to control the fire and assist the injured.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the incident on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, \"We are offering all resources as emergency services respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly. We'll continue to provide updates as more information is available.\"
The FAA confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
This tragic event comes just days after a deadly collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives. That incident marked the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since 2009.
Reacting to the Philadelphia crash, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, saying, \"So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged.\"
(With input from agencies)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
