Two American pilots were killed Sunday (June 7) when their private jet crashed while attempting an emergency landing at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. The Gulfstream G200 aircraft, registered in the United States, had just refueled after flying from Puerto Rico and was en route to Austin, Texas, to pick up former Major League Baseball star Yadier Molina, his family, and friends, according to statements from the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation and airport officials.
The pilots, identified as Erick Javier Diago and Ruddy Ghazal, both U.S. citizens, were the only people on board the plane at the time of the crash. Officials said the crew declared an emergency due to severe mechanical problems about 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana soon after takeoff. The pilots attempted to return to the airport, but the aircraft veered off the runway during the emergency landing, crashing and bursting into flames.
Video footage of the fiery crash was posted on social media.
No passengers were on board, and no additional injuries were reported. Yadier Molina posted on social media, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and confirming that he and his group were waiting for the plane in Texas before flying to Puerto Rico. “My condolences to the pilots and their family! This plane was on its way to pick up me, my family, and friends in Texas to return to Puerto Rico. This is all so heartbreaking,” Molina wrote.
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation and the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. As of now, authorities have not released further details about what led to the crash. Both agencies indicated they will provide updates as the investigation continues.
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