A small medical plane carrying six people crashed near a shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night, causing multiple casualties, sending a large fireball into the air and engulfing a stretch of road in flames, the authorities said.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which owns the plane, said that there were four crew members — one pediatric patient and one escort — on board at the time of the crash.
“We cannot confirm any survivors,” the company said, adding that it was not releasing any names until family members were notified.
In a news conference about 8:30 p.m., officials would not confirm the number of deaths but told residents to not touch anything that looked like debris and to stay inside if possible.
The plane left the Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it crashed about three miles away at about 6:30 p.m. near Cottman and Bustleton Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia, across from Roosevelt Mall, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
Mike Driscoll, a City Council member representing the area, said in a message on X that “mass casualties” were reported. The number of casualties and their conditions were unavailable.
Killiom Pontes, 38, a manager of a cellphone store less than a mile from the crash site, said in an interview that the impact had caused the windows of the business to shake.
“‘What the hell just happened?’” Mr. Pontes recalled saying to himself. “At first, I thought it was an earthquake, but then we saw the big boom.”
Mr. Pontes said he got into his car and drove to scene, which he described as a busy commercial area. He started recording an Instagram Live video of flames and debris.
“I saw a big hole in the ground,” he said. “I was in shock how much debris there was.”
A representative for the mall’s owner, Brixmor Property Group, confirmed Friday night that the plane had crashed in front of the mall.
“At this time, we’re not aware of any injuries or damage at the property, which has been evacuated,” the spokeswoman, Kristen Moore, said in a phone interview. “We’re just working with local law enforcement as they secure the site and emergency crews responding to the scene.”
Alain Delaquérière contributed research.
