Two pilots were killed after a privately owned Gulfstream jet crashed moments after takeoff from La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic on Sunday.
The US-registered aircraft had flown in from Puerto Rico and stopped in La Romana to refuel before departing on a charter trip to Austin, Texas.
According to local reports, the jet was due to pick up former MLB catcher Yadier Molina, his family and friends for a return flight to Puerto Rico.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported a technical issue and attempted to turn the aircraft back toward the airport. Flight tracking data indicated the jet circled the area before trying to land, but it reportedly lost stability and crashed within the airport perimeter.
Dramatic images from the scene showed thick balls of black smoke pouring into the sky as firefighters battled flames engulfing the wreckage.
The two crew members on board — the pilot and co-pilot — were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released their identities.
Following the crash, emergency crews, airport firefighters and aviation security officials rushed to secure the site while investigators began examining the wreckage to determine what caused the accident.
Dominican aviation authorities are expected to launch a full investigation, including a review of the mechanical problems reported by the crew before the failed emergency landing attempt.
Molina later shared an emotional message on Instagram, revealing the aircraft had been scheduled to transport him and his family.
“My condolences to the pilots and their families,” he wrote. “This plane was on its way to pick up me, my family, and my friends in Texas to bring us back to Puerto Rico. It’s all just devastating.”
