‘Scariest Thing Ever’: Doorbell Cam Captures Moment Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia

A doorbell camera in Northeast Philadelphia recorded the terrifying moment a medical plane crashed into a busy street, killing seven people, including a person in a car. The widely shared footage shows the impact and explosion as bystanders react in horror.

Recorded on January 31, the video shows two people standing outside, talking when a loud noise suddenly grabs their attention. They turn toward the sky just as an aircraft appears, plummeting rapidly before crashing nearby. The explosion briefly flashes white across the screen, followed by a thunderous blast. The witnesses rush inside for safety.

The chilling footage has sparked widespread discussion, with many describing it as surreal and deeply unsettling. “So scary. It’s like a scene out of a movie. I can’t believe this happened. Praying for everyone,” one user said.

Another shared, “I know it was a plane, but it doesn’t look like it. I’m sure it was the cloud coverage,but he way it appears out of nowhere and spikes into the ground. It seems like it’s moving way faster than a small plane can.”

Someone else sympathized, “I know this had to be very scary! My prayers to all the victims [sic] families of these plane crashes,” while another exclaimed, “Can imagine that being the scariest thing ever!!!”

Many online viewers speculated about the crash, with some believing the plane was already on fire before impact. Others noted that a witness in the footage appeared to react to an unusual sound just before the aircraft went down.

Some described the video as one of the most horrifying they had ever seen, expressing concern for traumatized residents. Another expressed sympathy for the victims, especially after learning that a child was among those on board.

Meanwhile, some questioned the aircraft’s speed and trajectory, suggesting it was moving too fast for a typical small plane.

As reported by AP, authorities confirmed that the Learjet 55 was carrying six passengers from Mexico, including a child who had spent months receiving medical treatment. The plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport but crashed just miles away.

The impact set off a massive fireball, damaging multiple vehicles and homes and shaking the neighborhood. A person in a car was also killed, bringing the total death toll to seven.

The crash occurred just after 6 p.m. on Friday, less than three miles from the airport. Selkuc Koc, a waiter at a nearby diner, recalled hearing a loud boom and initially thought it was a “thunderstorm.” When he looked outside, he saw thick smoke and flames rising into the air, comparing the scene to a gas station explosion.

The force of the blast was so strong that debris flew into nearby buildings. A diner customer was injured when a heavy metal object crashed through a window, adding to the chaos.

By Saturday morning, February 1, officials reported 19 injuries in addition to the fatalities. Most victims had been treated and released, but authorities warned that the casualty count could still change.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said officials were still working to identify everyone who was on the streets when the crash happened, making it hard to confirm the final number of victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation, collecting debris and assessing damage across the four-to-six-block crash site. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy described it as a “high-impact crash” that left the aircraft “highly fragmented.”

At the time, investigators were still searching for the cockpit voice recorder, which could provide key insights into what happened. Given the force of the impact, officials feared it may be damaged or fragmented but remained hopeful it could be recovered and analyzed.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported that newly obtained air traffic control audio from Northeast Philadelphia Airport captured the tense moments before the crash. In the recording, operators attempted to reach the Learjet 55 but received no response.

“What’s going on down there?” one controller was heard asking. “We have a lost aircraft. We’re not exactly sure what happened. So, we’re trying to figure it out,” a air traffic controller said. “The field is going to be closed so no inbounds-outbounds.”

In addition to the mother and child reported by AP, Fox News identified the remaining people on board as the pilot, copilot, physician, and paramedic, all of whom were Mexican nationals.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before crashing shortly after takeoff. As investigators worked to determine the cause, an expert analyzed the footage and possible factors behind the accident.

“The plane was out of the crew’s control. It was not controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). May have been a mechanical malfunction of the stabilizer, elevator, trim or even a load shift rearward within the cabin,” said Retired Philadelphia pilot John Anderson.

Anderson suggested that if the aircraft carried a stretcher and it was not properly secured, it could have rolled backward, shifting the plane’s center of gravity. “This would cause the nose to raise and stall the wing. In that case, the nose will drop with the angle in the video,” he explained.

The former pilot also added, “Because it was right after takeoff and the initial climb, I would say it was likely aswing stall. There could be a number of factors that would cause a stall. Could have been a runaway trim, malfunctioning stabilizer.” Authorities will continue to investigate as they gather more evidence and assess the damage.

The crash occurred less than 48 hours after a deadly collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport, which killed 67 people.