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‘Horrific’: Multiple deaths in another horror US crash

Shocking footage has emerged of another horrific plane crash in the US — showing the aircraft diving from the sky and sparking a massive fiery explosion.

Small plane crashes in Philadelphia

Multiple casualties have been reported after a small plane crashed near a shopping centre in the US, with shocking footage showing the aircraft plummeting from the sky before sparking a massive fiery explosion.

The Learjet 55 was carrying six people when it crashed in Philadelphia at 6.30pm Friday (local time) after departing Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.

It is not known if the two people on-board the aircraft were able to escape before the crash. Multiple casualties on the ground have been reported.

The plane crashed at 6.30pm on Friday. Picture @YEMUSKTRUMP
The plane crashed at 6.30pm on Friday. Picture @YEMUSKTRUMP
It had just taken from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Picture: X@YEMUSKTRUMP
It had just taken from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Picture: X@YEMUSKTRUMP

Footage shared on social media shows a large fireball erupting in the sky and debris sprawled across the car park of the Roosevelt Mall as local police and fire responded to the scene.

“It was just horrific,” one eyewitness told WPVI.
“I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky light up and I pulled over and basically it was just real bad around here. It lit up the whole sky.”

Fire officials said multiple homes in the area of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, about 5km from the airport, are on fire following the crash. Parts of the plane are also believed to have hit cars in the area, police sources told CBS News.

Police said the plane was on a medical assignment when it crashed.

Footage shows a large fireball erupting into the sky. Picture: X@inaya_bisma
Footage shows a large fireball erupting into the sky. Picture: X@inaya_bisma
One witness described the scene as “horrific”. Picture: X@inaya_bisma
One witness described the scene as “horrific”. Picture: X@inaya_bisma

It remains unclear what led to the crash but Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he is in communication with first responders at the scene.

“We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” he said in a post on X.

“We’ll continue to provide updates as more information is available.”

President Donald Trump responded to the incident on Truth Social, writing it is “so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania”.

“More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”

The US’ Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Emergency responders after a small aircraft crashed in a neighbourhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 31, 2025. Picture: @lika_3639 / AFP
Emergency responders after a small aircraft crashed in a neighbourhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 31, 2025. Picture: @lika_3639 / AFP
The crash sparked a large fire in a built-up neighbourhood of Philadelphia on January 31, 2025. Picture: Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management / AFP
The crash sparked a large fire in a built-up neighbourhood of Philadelphia on January 31, 2025. Picture: Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management / AFP

The incident comes days after an American Airlines plane collided with a US Army Black Hawk, in the worst US air disaster since 2001.

Flight AA5342 was coming in to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at about 9pm (1pm Thursday AEDT) when tragedy struck.

The passenger plane had 64 passengers and crew on board while the Black Hawk (H-60) had three.

President Trump confirmed on Thursday there were no survivors, with at least 40 bodies so far recovered.

More to come

– With the New York Post

Originally published as ‘Horrific’: Multiple deaths in another horror US crash

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/world/small-plane-crashes-in-philadelphia-houses-set-alight/news-story/835d8cb51c862bfe39a7bf445b9ab4b9