By Micheal Chukwuebuka
A small medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia on Friday, killing a pediatric patient and five others on board.
The Learjet 55 went down near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were six people on the plane, including four crew members, the pediatric patient, and an escort.
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The plane was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed and exploded.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed the fatalities but did not provide further details:
“Right now, we’re just asking for prayers,” she said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.
The crash also impacted nearby homes and vehicles, with residents advised to stay away from the scene.
The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to the incident. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro offered support and resources to respond to the crash.