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Mayor Cherelle Parker speaking to reporters Friday night. Photo by Kriston Bethel / AFP) (Photo by KRISTON BETHEL/AFP via Getty Images

A small airplane crashed Friday evening after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, officials said.

Driving the news: A Learjet 55 with 6 people on board crashed around 6:30pm, according to the FAA.

• The plane was bound for the Springfield-Branson airport in Missouri when it crashed.
• The FAA and NTSB will investigate, officials said.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a medical flight company, said in a statement on LinkedIn that one of its Learjets crashed after taking off from Philadelphia Friday evening.

• The company’s statement said a pediatric patient, an escort, and four crew members were on board.
• “Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground,” the statement said.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press briefing that several homes and vehicles “were impacted” by the crash.

• First responders were establishing a perimeter around the site. Parker called it an “active scene” and told residents to avoid the area and report debris to officials.
• Cottman Avenue between Roosevelt Boulevard and Busleton Avenue will be closed for an extended period of time, according to the Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management. Drivers should avoid the area.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was on his way to the crash site, Parker said.

• The state is “offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” Shapiro said on X.

What they’re saying: “We heard an explosion and then saw the aftermath of flames and smoke,” one eyewitness told 6ABC. “Common sense told me that I not get close to it and very quickly, just a cavalry of police and first responders. God bless them for going into harm’s way.”

• It’s “all hands on deck,” Mayor Parker said. “That’s where we are right now.”
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