City of Philadelphia Provides Ongoing Updates and Statements to ...

A devastating plane crash occurred in Northeast Philadelphia near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues on Friday evening, January 31, 2025, at approximately 6:10 p.m. A private Learjet 55 – a medical transportation jet – departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport with two passengers, a mother and daughter, and four crew members were killed in the tragic crash. As more information is released about the reason for the crash, this blog will be updated.  

According to the FAA, the aircraft was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, with a final destination in Mexico where the young child being treated for illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia lives. Flight logs show the plane was in the air for only a minute before it crashed. 

Many people on the ground – in parking lots, on streets, in cars and homes in the area  – were injured; the number of injured is yet to be released but the information shared at this time reports that a number of people were transported to a local hospital. Others may have been transported to other hospitals but since there is an investigation underway and emergency operation, the number of people and the status of their injuries is yet to be released and further information about where they were transported is not yet available. The blog will be updated with that information as it is available. 

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker held a press briefing quickly after arriving the scene at 7 p.m. to give the public as much information that was available immediately; the Mayor was joined soon after by Governor Josh Shapiro and other City, State and Federal officials and provided a media update at 9:45 p.m. to provide additional details obtained.  

“This is a tragedy in our city – people have lost their lives and many injured in this horrific crash and the damage is significant,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and all of those impacted by the tragic crash.  We are unified in our approach – a One Philly philosophy with all hands-on deck. I am so grateful for the rapid response by our Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, our Office of Emergency Management and Philadelphia Gas Works with federal, state, and local first responders who swarmed the scene in collaboration with all first responders on the ground.”  

“This is when you see the best of Philly,” said Governor Josh Shapiro, who promised full support from the State of Pennsylvania. He was joined by teams of State troopers, PennDot and the State’s Department of Environmental Protection. 

A Shelter at Samuel Fels High School, located at 5500 Langdon Street here in Northeast Philadelphia, is being operated by our Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross – Southeastern Pennsylvania. Red Cross disaster workers are there to assist anyone who’s been displaced by this tragedy. People have already begun using the shelter – and we encourage anyone who needs this service to avail themselves.

Resources for Residents Affected by the January 31st Aircraft Crash

Call 1-800 Red Cross for property damage or for help in filing a claim. If you need assistance other than Shelter today, for now, call 911.

Outages:

• PECO: 1-800-841-4141
• PGW: 215-235-1212
• Water Department: 215-685-6300

Road Closures:

• Cottman Ave: Between Bustleton and Brous Aves
• Roosevelt Boulevard: Outer lanes from Rhawn St to Tyson Aves
• St. Vincent St: Between Bustleton and Castor Aves

Mental Health:

For people living in this community, watching the news, or on social media, this is traumatic. There are resources available through the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services. Visit their website www.DBHIDS.org or you can call to speak to someone at 215-685-6440.

Faith Based Concerns:

Residents affected by the aircraft incident can text RECOVERPHL to 888-777 to get the latest updates and information sent straight to their phones.

Results of the investigation will be shared on this blog post as they are received by the City.