Philadelphia plane crash: Girl among six dead as US suffers second aircraft tragedy in two days

A crash involving a Learjet 55 has been confirmed in the area of Northeast Philadelphia, just two days on since a devastating crash claimed the lives of 67 people in Washington DC

A little girl and her mother are among at least six people killed in the US's second aircraft tragedy in two days.

The tragic relatives and four crew members were travelling in a medical transport jet, which plummeted to the ground seconds after take off in Philadelphia on Friday at 6pm local time. It exploded into fireball which engulfed several homes and a major incident was declared by authorities.

The recovery mission continues, and people have been warned to stay away from the Northeastern Philadelphia neighborhood in the meantime. Debris covers city streets and homes are destroyed, witnesses say.

The tragedy happened just two days after a tragic plane crash in Washington DC claimed 67 lives. Shai Gold, a spokesperson for the company which owned the Philadelphia plane, a Learjet 55, said: "When an incident like this happens, it’s shocking and surprising. All of the aircraft are maintained, not a penny is spared because we know our mission is so critical."

He said the little girl was returning home to Mexico following treatment in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition. Jet Rescue, which owned the plane, said the four crew members were also from Mexico.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference late Friday that officials expect fatalities in this “awful aviation disaster.” He added: "We know that there will be loss."

Videos and photos taken from the scene show a massive rescue response, with dozens of fire engines moving towards the area. Other photos show an explosion as the plane went down in what is primarily a residential neighbourhood.

Reports from those on the ground say that there is a "large debris field," with multiple cars on fire, and the "smell of fuel in the air," according to an eye witness calling into LIVENOW. The aircraft has been identified as a Learjet 55, a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. The crash site is near Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where it is thought the aircraft had taken off.

Michael Schiavone, 37, was sitting at his home in the Mayfair area when he heard a loud bang and his house shook. He said it felt like a mini earthquake and when he checked his home security camera footage, he said it looked like a missile was coming down. Mr Schiavone said: "There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second."

Flight data showed a small jet taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and disappearing from radar about 30 seconds later after climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 metres).

The plane crashed in a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping centre where first responders are blocking traffic and onlookers are crowded onto a street corner in the residential neighborhood of Rhawnhurst. Philadelphia’s emergency management office said that roads are closed in the area.

Mobile phone footage taken by a witness moments after the plane crashed showed a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the intersection. A wall of orange glowed just beyond the intersection as a plume of black smoke quickly rose into the sky, while some witnesses could be heard crying and sirens blared.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said two people were aboard the plane, which was a Learjet 55. The plane, a small, business-type jet, was en route to Mexico via Springfield, Missouri.

The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation. The NTSB, which investigates air crashes, said it was gathering information about the crash.

Many worried citizens have taken to social media to voice their concerns over this second devastating plane crash in as many days. The crash occurred just two hours after a press conference from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) confirmed that salvage barges en route to Wednesday's mid-air collision site involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will work "with the coroner's office" to expedite the return of remains to families.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams combing through the debris in an attempt to retrieve the bodies of the 67 individuals on board for formal identification and burial. As per CNN, 41 bodies have been recovered from the crash site so far, with 28 having been identified by their families, reports the Express.