Philadelphia, Feb 1, (V7N) – A Learjet 55 air ambulance crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Friday, killing all six people on board and igniting fires in a busy suburban area.

The aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Tijuana International Airport, with a planned stop in Missouri. The passengers included a pediatric patient, their escort, and four crew members.

The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall at the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. The impact caused major fires, damaging several homes and vehicles. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, with one resident saying, "I thought we were under attack for a second."

According to the National Weather Service, the area had overcast skies, fog, and wind gusts up to 30 mph at the time of the incident. The aircraft vanished from radar about 30 seconds after takeoff, reaching 1,650 feet before plummeting at a rate of 11,000 feet per minute.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed condolences, saying, "We want to offer our thoughts and prayers for those who are grieving. We commend the bravery of first responders and the resilience of the community."

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.

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