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A newly surfaced video captures the devastating moment a Learjet crashed in Philadelphia on Friday evening, featuring the distressed reaction of a witness to the explosion.
The Learjet 55, which departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at approximately 6:07 p.m. en route to Springfield, Missouri, crashed near Roosevelt Mall shortly after takeoff, resulting in an explosion that affected multiple residences in the area.
In the footage, shared by Philly Crime Update on X, a startled observer can be heard exclaiming “Allahu akbar! What the hell?” followed by “What the hell? Oh my God!” While this Arabic phrase, meaning “god is great” or “god is the greatest,” is sometimes linked to extremist activities, it’s actually a common expression used by Muslims, particularly during moments of shock or awe.
The ill-fated aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was carrying six individuals – four crew members and two passengers. One passenger was a pediatric patient returning to Mexico after receiving care at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, accompanied by an escort.
A Learjet 55 with 6 people on board has crashed just 30 seconds after taking off near the Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, PA, tonight. Multiple home and car fires were reported resulting from the crash. Pray for those involved & for the first responders. https://t.co/o70XZ4yCj7
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 1, 2025
“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,” said Mel Bower, the hospital spokesman.
This tragic incident occurred just 48 hours after another devastating aviation disaster near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport, where 67 people lost their lives when an American Eagle commuter jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air and crashed into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors.
While the authenticity of the newly emerged video couldn’t be independently confirmed, its content aligns with other recorded footage of the incident.