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Images show aftermath left behind from deadly plane crash in Philadelphia

After Northeast Philadelphia plane crash, cleanup continues, recovery begins
After Northeast Philadelphia plane crash, cleanup continues, recovery begins 05:01

Seven people died and at least 22 people were injured after a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue near the Roosevelt Mall. 

The impact of the crash caused an explosion and set several homes on fire and debris scattered blocks away.

Six of the seven people who died were aboard the Learjet 55 aircraft that took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. All six of the people were Mexican citizens. They were identified on Sunday by the Mexico-based company that was operating the small plane.

The small plane was on its way to Springfield, Missouri, and took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport before it crashed. It was in the air for less than one minute. 

The other person who died was on the ground at the time the plane crashed into the street, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said on Saturday. The person's identity isn't known at this time. Five of the 22 people injured in the crash are still hospitalized, including three in critical condition.

Images from Northeast Philly show a chaotic scene that first responders rushed to minutes after the plane crashed into a very busy area of the city. 

Small Plane Crashes Into Residential Area In Philadelphia
People gather as emergency service members respond to a plane crash in a neighborhood near Cottman Avenue on Jan. 31, 2025 in Philadelphia. The plane, a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, crashed after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, damaging several homes and vehicles. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Small Plane Crashes Into Residential Area In Philadelphia
Emergency service members respond to a plane crash in a neighborhood near Cottman Avenue on Jan. 31, 2025 in Philadelphia. The plane, a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, crashed after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, damaging several homes and vehicles. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Small Plane Crashes Into Residential Area In Philadelphia
Emergency service members respond to a plane crash in a neighborhood near Cottman Avenue on Jan. 31, 2025 in Philadelphia. The plane, a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, crashed after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, damaging several homes and vehicles. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Casualties reported as small plane crashes in US city of Philadelphia
 A view of the scene after a small plane crashed in a residential area Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 2025. The aircraft, an air ambulance, took off from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport and went down immediately around 6:30 p.m., igniting multiple fires. There were six people onboard, said the Federal Aviation Administration. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and will be picking up debris for the next several days or weeks. Two plane engines and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the scene. Officials said they also found the airplane's enhanced ground proximity warning system, which could contain flight data.

During Sunday's press conference, officials said it could take days and weeks before many questions about the crash are answered.

Casualties reported as small plane crashes in residential area near Philadelphia
A view of the wreckage from a small plane after it crashed in a residential area in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 2025. The aircraft, an air ambulance, took off from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport and went down around 6:30 p.m., igniting multiple fires. Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images

The debris block covers four to six city blocks, according to Philadelphia's Managing Director Adam Thiel. 

The NTSB is identifying the crash as an accident. 

Casualties reported as small plane crashes in US city of Philadelphia
 A view of the scene on Feb. 1, 2025 as the aftermath of destruction is seen in front of the Roosevelt Mall and a large debris field is seen with cars destroyed and structures damaged after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. The FBI Evidence Response Team, ATF, NTSB and the Philadelphia Police Crime Scene Unit are investigating the scene.  Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images
Casualties reported as small plane crashes in US city of Philadelphia
 A view of the scene after a small plane crashed in a residential area of Northeast Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 2025. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images

The six people on the medical jet included a pediatric patient who had just finished treatment at Shriners Children's Hospital, along with her mother and four crew members, on their way back to Mexico.  

"It's extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today," Mel Bower, a spokesperson for the hospital, said Friday evening.

APTOPIX Philadelphia Small Plane Crash
First responders work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Jan. 31, 2025. Matt Rourke / AP
Casualties reported as small plane crashes in residential area near Philadelphia
A view of the roof of a home struck by a small plane that crashed into a residential area in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 2025.  Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images

Neighbors in the area of the crash are still processing what happened. They described the scene as surreal. Doorbell cameras from homes in the area caught the moment the plane crashed and fell from the sky.

An explosion after the crash led to multiple homes catching fire, and one woman was forced to evacuate her house after it was engulfed in flames. 

ring-cam-video-2-frame-56.jpg
A doorbell camera shows the moment the plane crashed in Northeast Philly on Jan. 31, 2025. CBS Philadelphia

T'Chala Brooker, a Mount Airy resident, drove a few miles to the crash scene and left flowers.

"Everything that happens here affects all of us, not just one of us," Brooker said. "I wanted to show solidarity. I'm here, I'm here for any and everybody, not just those who lost their lives, but the ones that are still here. They're going to need support."

Waleska Matos, who lives on St. Vincent Street near the crash, was shopping at Macy's when she received a frantic phone call from her son.

"It was traumatizing actually," Matos said. "My son called me and said, 'Mom, the house is going to fall apart.'"

"It was just a scary thought, doomsday when I couldn't get to my son," Matos said. "It felt like a movie."

FBI agents collect evidences at the scene of the Philadelphia plane crash
 FBI agents from the Evidence Response Team collect evidence including debris, body parts and more Saturday morning as they process the scene in alleyways near the Roosevelt Mall after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images
Philadelphia Small Plane Crash
Investigators work the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke/AP
Philadelphia Small Plane Crash
Investigators work the scene on Feb. 1, 2025, the day after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke/AP
Philadelphia Small Plane Crash
An investigator works  the scene on Feb. 1, 2025, the day after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke/AP
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