On Friday evening, a small jet carrying six people crashed near Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia, causing a huge explosion. The plane was heading to Missouri when it went down. The FAA confirmed that the passengers included four crew members, a child receiving medical treatment, and an escort. Many people were shocked and saddened by the tragedy, and President Donald Trump reacted quickly on social media, blaming government policies.
The company that owned the plane, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, released a statement:
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names will be released until families have been notified.”
The crash caused massive damage to vehicles and buildings in the area. Roads had to be closed, and emergency responders worked quickly to handle the situation.
Trump took to Truth Social to express his feelings. He posted:
“So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
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While Trump shared sympathy, he also used the tragedy to criticize the FAA. He blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies for weakening aviation safety. However, experts say there is no proof that these policies played any role in the crash.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed the public on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“An aircraft crashed tonight in the vicinity of the Roosevelt Mall on Cottman Avenue. It occurred shortly after 6 p.m. this evening. We have no reports on the number of fatalities. Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors, and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also shared an update, saying that state officials are working with local emergency teams.
“I’ve spoken with @PhillyMayor and my team is in communication with @PhillyPD, @PhilaOEM, and @PhillyFireDept. We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond.”
Just days ago, after a different plane crash involving an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter, Trump also blamed the FAA’s policies.
But history shows that plane crashes often happen due to a mix of reasons—mechanical failures, human mistakes, or bad weather. For example, in 2020, basketball star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash due to poor visibility. That tragedy led to discussions about pilot training, not politics.
In 2009, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, killing 50 people. The cause was pilot fatigue, which led to stronger regulations for pilot rest periods. Similarly, in 2018, a Southwest Airlines jet suffered an engine failure mid-flight, but the issue was traced to maintenance problems, not government hiring policies.
According to reports, Aviation safety has improved over the years due to stricter regulations, better technology, and ongoing training.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
