In a moment of unimaginable chaos, 10-year-old Andre Howard’s instincts kicked in—shielding his little sister from harm as a fiery plane crash sent debris raining down on their car. Now, his family is calling his survival nothing short of a miracle.

Andre, his father, and his two siblings were out on a simple mission—grabbing doughnuts—when their lives changed forever. Without warning, an air ambulance jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue. The devastating impact claimed the lives of seven people and injured dozens more.

From the front seat, Andre’s father, also named Andre Howard, watched in horror as the sky filled with fire and debris. “Heard what we thought was a car crash, but then you see a fury of fire in the air, then a bunch of debris shooting everywhere,” he told ABC 6 Action News.

At that moment, young Andre didn’t hesitate. “My son … tells his little sister, ‘Get down!'” Howard recalled. “And he grabs her [as] I hear the glass shatter. I turn around; there’s a piece of metal sticking out of my son’s head from the plane.”

A good Samaritan rushed to their aid, using his shirt to stop the bleeding. Moments later, a Philadelphia police officer made the split-second decision to rush Andre to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where doctors immediately began working to save him.

Andre’s injuries were severe, and his family was given a grim prognosis. “They told us my son wasn’t supposed to make it,” Howard said. “They also told us, ‘They don’t do children trauma.’ But they did for us, which was nothing but God.”

Andre’s mother, Lashawn Hamiel, could barely contain her emotions. “As a mother, what am I supposed to do?” she said through tears. “But he’s good. He’s pushing through. He’s strong; he’s a jokester, but he’s strong. He’s a superhero.”

His father echoed her sentiment. “To face death yesterday and [be] speaking today, stepping up for his little sister like I train him and his other little brothers to do off of instinct—he’s my hero,” Howard said.

Doctors are closely monitoring Andre’s condition, working to keep him stable while they determine the best course of action for his recovery.

While Andre’s survival is a beacon of hope, the tragedy has left a city in mourning. The Learjet 55 was headed to Mexico, carrying passengers including 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna. Valentina had just received life-saving treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for complications related to spina bifida. She and her mother were heading home when the unthinkable happened.

A Facebook post by Susan Marie Fasino, who had helped arrange Valentina’s medical care, captured the heartbreak of the moment. “The plan was to bring them home to live out the rest of her life surrounded with love and with her adoring family,” she wrote. “Her mother was one of the most adoring, attentive mothers a child could ever have. She literally never left her side.”

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed condolences, saying, “Our city continues to mourn their loss, and they are in our thoughts and prayers.”

As the community grieves and investigators work to determine what caused the crash, Andre’s survival has become a testament to faith, courage, and divine protection. His parents do not doubt that God had His hand over their son.

“He wasn’t supposed to make it,” Howard reiterated. “But he did. And I know that’s because of God.”

For now, Andre’s family is focusing on his recovery and holding tight to their faith. They’re also celebrating the bravery of a 10-year-old boy who, in the face of life-threatening danger, instinctively chose to protect his little sister—proving that sometimes, real superheroes walk among us.

Join in Prayer

As Andre continues to heal, his family asks for prayers for his recovery and all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Let’s stand together in faith, believing in healing, comfort, and strength for those left grieving in the wake of this devastating accident.