Authorities in Northeast Philadelphia are continuing their search for potential additional victims and missing persons following the crash of a medical transport plane on Friday night.
Among those unaccounted for is 38-year-old Jason Rodriguez, whose family fears he may have been near the crash site at the time of the accident.
His sister, Katrina Rodriguez, says she last heard from him on Friday afternoon while he was shopping on Cottman Avenue. His phone last pinged near the crash site before it stopped ringing and went straight to voicemail.
She expressed her distress, saying, “He never turns his phone off, and we haven’t heard anything. My mom is losing it—he’s her only son.”
Jason was last seen wearing a mint or light green jacket with black pants. He has tattoos on his neck and arms, as well as a birthmark-like mark on his forehead.
City officials have warned that more missing persons may be linked to the crash. Managing Director Adam Thiel stated, “That’s part of the uncertainty we’re facing—it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who may have been in the area.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to search the wreckage and surrounding areas. Rodriguez’s family urges anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who may have seen Jason Rodriguez or knows his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Philadelphia law enforcement immediately.
A Learjet 55 on a medical assignment crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, erupting into a fiery explosion upon impact, according to officials.
The plane, which departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was bound for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, went down near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard just after 6 p.m.
Authorities confirmed six people were on board, including a pilot, medic, flight crew members, and possibly a patient. While multiple casualties have been reported, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker did not confirm an exact number.
