PHILADELPHIA (NEXSTAR) — A small plane carrying two people and headed for Missouri crashed in Northeast Philadelphia Friday night, Pennsylvania’s governor confirmed.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he’s offering all “Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.”
Nexstar’s WHTM reports that the crash happened less than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights. Philadelphia’s emergency management office said there was a “major incident” at the location of the crash site and that roads are closed in the area.
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First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) -
First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) -
Bystanders watch as first responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) -
First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Flight data showed a small jet taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and disappearing from radar about 30 seconds later after climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters).
A photo posted on the social platform X by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management showed a thick cloud of smoke in the sky near the Roosevelt Mall, where first responders were blocking traffic and onlookers crowded onto a street corner.
The plane crashed in a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center with dozens of stores and restaurants in the residential neighborhood of Rhawnhurst.
Nexstar’s WPHL reports that firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire involving houses near the crash site.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates air crashes, said it was gathering information about the incident.
The FAA gave the following statement to Nexstar:
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 31, after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were two people on board. The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.
The crash comes two days after the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century. An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided in midair Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., with an Army helicopter carrying three soldiers. There were no survivors in that crash.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
