A former MLB star has claimed that a private jet which crash-landed in the Dominican Republic, killing both pilots on board, was en route to pick him up. The Gulfstream G200 crashed at La Romana International Airport, approximately 130 kilometres east of the capital Santo Domingo, on Sunday local time.
The aircraft declared an emergency when it was about 16 nautical miles southwest of the airport, according to the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (DICA). Footage of the incident spread rapidly across social media, showing the private jet skidding and bouncing along a section of grass separating tarmacs. It then slammed into the ground and appears to have burst its fuel tank, sparking a massive fireball.
Pilot Erick Javier Diago and co-pilot Ruddy Ghaza were the sole occupants, La Romana International Airport said in a statement. “The crew declared an in-flight emergency shortly after takeoff; the aircraft crashed while attempting to land back at La Romana Airport, veering off the runway,” the airport said.
Hours after the crash, former MLB star Yadier Molina took to social media claiming the plane was travelling to Austin, Texas, to pick him and his family up for a flight to his home country of Puerto Rico. “My condolences to the pilots and their families,” Molina said. “This plane was on its way to pick me and family and friends in Texas to return to (Puerto Rico). Everything is brutal.”
DICA has launched an investigation into the crash alongside the Investigative Commission for Aviation Accidents and will provide updates when available.
