A small plane crash on Friday in northeast Philadelphia has ignited a large fire in a densely populated neighborhood, authorities reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially stated that two people were aboard the Learjet 55 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 sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
The plane, en route from Philadelphia to Springfield, Missouri, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport before descending into a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall. The impact set multiple homes and cars on fire, causing significant property damage.
Emergency crews responded promptly to the scene, with CBS News providing live updates on the unfolding situation.
\"We are offering all resources as emergency services respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,\" Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed on the social platform X. \"We'll continue to provide updates as more information is available.\"
The FAA confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
This tragic incident 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 resulted in the loss of 67 lives, marking the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since 2009.
\"So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged,\" U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the crash.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
