LA ROMANA — Two pilots from the United States died Sunday when their plane crashed near La Romana, Dominican Republic. The aircraft, a U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 Galaxy, was attempting an emergency landing.
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation identified both crew members as U.S. citizens. No passengers were aboard the aircraft. The plane had departed from Puerto Rico and landed in the Dominican Republic for refueling before it was scheduled to continue to Texas. The crew reported an emergency shortly after takeoff from the Dominican Republic, declaring it 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana International Airport.
The aircraft lost stability while attempting to return to the airport. It crashed on the runway and caught fire. Fire and rescue services responded to the scene of the crash. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Dominican authorities initiated an investigation into the incident, receiving assistance from specialized agencies.
Former Major League Baseball catcher Yadier Molina stated the plane was intended to transport him, his family, and friends from Texas to Puerto Rico. "My condolences to the pilots and their families. 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 said. Molina spent his professional playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2004 to 2022, earning 10 MLB All-Star selections. He also won World Series championships with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011, and received nine Rawlings Gold Glove awards.