No survivors are expected after an air ambulance carrying six people crashed in Philadelphia, according to the aircraft company.

 Among the passengers was a child who had traveled to the U.S. for life-saving treatment and was now returning home, according to a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

Feb. 1, 2025, 6:40 AM GMT+6 / Updated Feb. 1, 2025, 10:55 AM GMT+6

An air ambulance carrying six people crashed near a mall in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, according to the company operating the aircraft.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance stated it could not confirm any survivors from the crash. The aircraft had four crew members, a pediatric patient, and the patient's escort on board. A company spokesperson indicated it was unlikely anyone survived.

"Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and any additional victims affected on the ground," the company said in a statement.

During a Friday evening news conference, Mayor Cherelle Parker reported that the total number of fatalities remained uncertain. She confirmed that "several dwellings and vehicles were impacted" by the crash.

Six individuals with crash-related injuries were taken to Temple University Hospital—Jeanes Campus in Northeast Philadelphia. Three were in fair condition, while the other three were treated and released, a hospital spokesperson said. It remains unclear where these individuals were when the aircraft crashed.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Learjet 55 had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed. The aircraft carried a pilot, copilot, physician, paramedic, the patient, and the patient's escort, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance confirmed.

Late Friday night, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on X that all six individuals on board were Mexican nationals. The ministry announced that its consulates were prepared to provide support to the victims' relatives. A company spokesperson, Shai Gold, told NBC Philadelphia that the pediatric patient had traveled to the U.S. for "life-saving treatment" and was returning home to Mexico.

"The treatment ran its course. She was ready to go home, and we were contracted to bring her back to Mexico," Gold said. The final destination was Tijuana International Airport, from where she was scheduled to continue home via ground ambulance.

The flight was funded by an international charity.

A spokesperson for Shriners Children's Philadelphia confirmed in a statement that the child had been treated at their facility and was traveling with her mother.

"Shriners Children’s is heartbroken to confirm that one of our pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia this evening," the spokesperson said.

Authorities have not publicly released the identities of those on board.

The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center approximately three miles from the airport. Video footage showed smoke and flames at the crash site.

"The FAA and NTSB will investigate," the FAA said, referring to the National Transportation Safety Board, which will lead the inquiry and provide updates. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated on X that he is in communication with Philadelphia officials and will offer state resources as needed.

Home security footage captured the incident, showing the aircraft descending at an angle before erupting into a fireball upon impact.

Rev. Todd Sheridan Yeary, a former FAA air traffic controller, suggested that the incident likely resulted from a catastrophic failure shortly after takeoff.

"With clearance to take off and an aircraft known for its airworthiness, something happened rather catastrophically after it lifted off," Yeary said on NBC News NOW. He described the Learjet 55 as a "high-performance, reliable aircraft" and noted that crashes of this nature are uncommon.

Weather conditions at the time included light rain, fog, and a recorded wind gust of 30 mph. The temperature was approximately 49 degrees Fahrenheit, according to National Weather Service data.

The crash follows a recent aviation tragedy in the U.S. Just days earlier, 67 people lost their lives when a passenger plane collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.