Officials have confirmed that all six people aboard an air ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia shortly after takeoff have died.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stated: “A tragic plane crash occurred in Northeast Philadelphia near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues on Friday evening, January 31, 2025, around 6:10 p.m.”

The crash involved a private Learjet 55, a medical transport aircraft, which was carrying two passengers—a mother and daughter—as well as four crew members. All six on board were killed in the incident.

Given the horrific nature of the crash, with footage showing the plane erupting into a fireball upon impact, casualties were expected. A spokesperson noted, “When something like this happens, it’s always shocking.”

The spokesperson also emphasized that the aircraft is meticulously maintained, adding, “We spare no expense because we know how critical our mission is.”

The air ambulance was en route to transport a young child, who had received treatment for a life-threatening condition, back to Mexico, accompanied by her mother.

The crash occurred about 30 seconds after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, landing on a city street where vehicles and buildings were damaged by the resulting explosion and fireball.

Several people on the ground were injured and taken to the hospital. While the exact number of injuries remains unclear, at least six people have been hospitalized, and three have since been released after treatment.

The plane was supposed to travel first to Missouri before heading to Tijuana to return the mother and child home. Instead, the crash has resulted in the loss of six lives.

According to CNN, air traffic control was asked by another pilot about the situation and responded with, “We’ve lost the aircraft.” Initial confusion surrounded the crash, and authorities are still working to understand exactly what happened.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the tragic incident. They will be looking into factors such as weather conditions, mechanical issues, and pilot error to understand what led to the fatal crash.

The NTSB will also be examining the maintenance records of the aircraft to ensure that all necessary safety protocols were followed. The investigation is expected to take several months before a final report is released.

The families of the victims have been notified, and grief counselors have been made available to support those affected by this devastating event. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has offered her condolences to the families, stating, “Our hearts are heavy with grief for the lives lost in this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.”

The community has also come together to offer support and assistance to those affected by the crash. Fundraisers have been organized to help the families of the victims with funeral expenses and other needs.

In the wake of this tragedy, there has been an outpouring of support and solidarity from the community. Vigils have been held to honor the memory of the victims and to offer comfort to those who have lost loved ones.

As more details emerge from the investigation, the community is left grappling with the shock and sadness of this devastating event. The loss of all six passengers in the air ambulance crash has left a deep impact on the city of Philadelphia and its residents.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. The NTSB is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.