Emergency crews are responding to an explosion in Northeast Philadelphia after a small medical jet crashed in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue, Philadephia police confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia.
The plane, a Learjet 55, was going from Philadelphia to Springfield, Missouri, leaving the Northeast Philadelphia Airport when tragedy struck. The plane crashed into a neighborhood outside the Roosevelt Mall just moments after leaving the airstrip.
Two people were aboard the plane, according to police. It’s unclear at this time if they were ejected or able to escape. There are several injuries reported on the ground, police added.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
Multiple rowhomes on fire
Multiple homes are on fire in the area of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard following the crash, fire officials said.
Police sources told CBS News Philadelphia’s Chief Investigative Reporter Joe Holden that parts of the plane hit cars in the area. Some businesses near the Roosevelt Mall are on fire, sources said.
The area, where the crash happened, especially near Cottman and Roosevelt Boulevard is a densely residential neighborhood and packed with rows of rowhomes.
Neighbors in the Northeast Philadelphia area have called CBS Philadelphia reporting their homes shook when the plane went down.
It’s unclear at this time what led to the crash. The status of those who were injured was also not immediately available.
FAA responds to crash
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash happened around 6:30 p.m. EST on Friday after a Learjet 55 left the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Two people were on board. The plane was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The NTSB is leading the investigation.
Here’s the full statement from the FAA:
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.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
