A PLANE has crashed into several homes in Philadelphia leaving behind multiple casualties, according to reports.
Harrowing footage shows the devastating aftermath of the fireball smash with cars and homes set alight just two days on from the Washington DC aviation disaster.
APThe plane crash is believed to have caused several other fires to break out[/caption]
CBSDebris has been left strewn across the street[/caption]
CBSCars were seen set alight on the street[/caption]
X/JASONfOX29Witnesses saw a bright flash of light as the plane crashed[/caption]
Officials have launched an investigation after terrified onlookers reported seeing a bright flash light up the sky just after 6pm.
The light aircraft is said to have hit several buildings and collided with multiple cars all lined up in the area.
At least two people were believed to have been on board the Learjet 55 aircraft.
Local outlet FOX 29 says up to six were in the aircraft, citing senior police commanders at the scene.
Several others on the ground are also believed to be injured, reports CBS News.
The crash took place near to Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, reports Action News.
Videos circulating online show the streets of Northeast Philadelphia covered in plane debris with a large fire appearing to burn in the middle of the street.
Black clouds of smoke can be seen billowing through the sky as dozens of terrified onlookers rush to safety.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and are currently battling against the flames.
The crash site is said to be just three miles away from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
Flight data showed a small jet leaving the airport at 6:06pm before disappearing from the radar just 30 seconds later at an altitude of 1,600ft.
Philadelphia’s office of emergency management took to X to confirm a “major incident” was underway.
He urged people to avoid the area and said the surrounding roads were all closed.
It is still unclear what may have caused the crash.
It comes as America continues to mourn the deaths of up to 67 people after a harrowing plane collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
On Wednesday evening, the American Airlines plane smashed into a Black Hawk that was flying in the middle of its descent path.
It’s the deadliest US air crash since November 2001, when 260 people died after a plane plunged into a New York City neighborhood.
First responders quickly realised the rescue mission was a recovery operation after spending hours searching Washington DC’s freezing Potomac River.
Days on from the crash and just 40 bodies have been pulled from the river.
APSmoke has continued to billow through the Philadelphia skies[/caption]
AFPPolice have closed off the surrounding roads as fires continue to burn[/caption]
CBSDozens of cars were on the road as the plane crashed nearby[/caption]
CBSA fire burning on the street after a plane reportedly crashed into several homes in Philadelphia[/caption]
Dedicated crews are still searching for any more remains as they navigate the shattered plane wreckage that fell upside down into the murky water.
The U.S. Sun captured exclusive footage of the grim scene with divers continuing to swim through the death-strewn waters.
Children, world-class athletes, and a group of hunting buddies have all been identified as the victims so far.
A large portion of the flight from Wichita, Kansas, was coming from the US National Championships for ice skating.
Teen skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane boarded the plane with their mothers and their coaches – Russian couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Little sisters Alydia and Everly Livingston, who were 11 and 14 years old, were also on the doomed flight.
Another victim, 30-year-old Kiah Duggins, was a former Miss Kansas contestant and Harvard Law graduate who previously worked as an intern for Michelle Obama.
Two of the three soldiers onboard the Black Hawk have been named as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and Crew Chief Ryan O’Hara, 28.
The third soldier’s identity wasn’t released at the request of their family.
The first officer of the American Airlines flight was named as Sam Lilley, a 28-year-old who was newly engaged.
‘Scared’ travelers return to Ronald Reagan airport
By Senior Reporter Israel Salas-Rodriguez in Washington DC:
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is up and running again after a Black Hawk chopper crashed into an American Airlines flight preparing for arrival just before 9 pm on Wednesday leaving 67 people dead.
After closing for 14 hours following the collision, DCA reopened at 11 am on Thursday.
“I’m flying out, it’s pretty tragic,” Abhi, a 25-year-old traveler told The U.S. Sun at the airport.
“I fly regularly and so it does make me feel a little bit more aware than I usually do when I’m flying.
“So, definitely I feel a little bit more aware and scared, but you got to keep going and got to move on you know.”
A Maryland resident named Carlos Estrada told The U.S. Sun he was waiting for his sister’s flight to arrive from Arkansas after it was rerouted to New York.
“She’s very concerned, she’s been texting me the whole time,” Estrada said.
“It makes me uneasy. We’re all here hurting in some way.”
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APDozens of heroic first responders work near to the crash site[/caption]
AFPThe people of Northeast Philadelphia were rocked by the blast at around 6pm[/caption]
ReutersAmerica continues to mourn the deaths of up to 67 people after a harrowing plane collision in Washington[/caption]