Plane on medical assignment crashes in Northeast Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - Multiple casualties have been reported after a small plane crashed in a residential neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia.

It happened near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard just after 6 p.m. Friday.

According to the FAA, a Learjet 55 departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down.

Police say the plane was on a medical assignment.

There were reportedly six people on board, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

The FAA had initially reported there were two people on board. The agency did not have any update on their condition.

"It was just horrific. 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," said one witness, who described the incident as "Earthquakish.

"It lit up the whole sky," he added.

A large fire burned in the wake of the crash, prompting a significant response. Vehicles could also be seen on fire.

The FAA and NTSB say it is investigating.

The Philadelphia Fire Department advised residents to avoid the area of Calvert and St. Vincent streets.

The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to "an aircraft incident."

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his team is communicating with local officials and first responders and is "offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly." (Source: ABC 6)