dailynewsnblog
Two American pilots have been killed after a Gulfstream G200 Galaxy business jet crashed and burst into flames while attempting an emergency landing at La Romana International Airport (LRM) in the Dominican Republic. Authorities later confirmed that the two pilots were the only people on board, and both died in the accident.
The aircraft, registered as N318JF and operated by Aibonito Aviation LLC, had departed the airport on June 7 for Austin, Texas, before the crew reported an emergency and requested an immediate return. Video footage shared online showed the jet engulfed in flames following the crash, with emergency responders rushing to the scene. The accident unfolded shortly after takeoff, when the crew encountered a problem significant enough to abandon the planned flight and head back to La Romana.
Gulfstream G200 Emergency Declared Shortly After Departure
The Gulfstream G200 had departed La Romana on a repositioning flight to Austin, Texas. According to reports, the aircraft was scheduled to pick up former Major League Baseball catcher Yadier Molina, along with family members and friends, before returning to Puerto Rico. No passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident.
Preliminary information indicates the crew declared an emergency when the aircraft was approximately 16 nautical miles (30 km) southwest of La Romana. The pilots subsequently initiated a return to the airport rather than continue toward Texas. Flight-tracking data showed the jet remained in the vicinity of the Dominican Republic’s southeastern coastline after departure, consistent with an attempted return to its point of origin.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact nature of the emergency reported by the crew. As part of the investigation, officials are expected to review communications between the pilots and air traffic controllers to determine what prompted the return. Yadier Molina’s translated Instagram post says:
“My condolences to the pilots and their families! This plane was on its way to pick up me, my family, and my friends in Texas to bring us back to Puerto Rico!”
Crash And Fire During Landing Attempt
Aviation Safety Network reported ADS-B data shows the aircraft departing runway 11 at approximately 19:30 UTC, after which it made a right-hand turn onto a track of around 300°. At about 19:35 UTC, the jet began a series of left-hand turns and initially appeared to be configured for an emergency landing on runway 11. A gap of roughly four minutes is then present in the tracking data, after which the aircraft reappeared circling northwest of the airport. It completed several additional left-hand turns before aligning for an emergency approach to runway 29.
The aircraft was engulfed in flames after the impact, sending thick black smoke into the air and prompting an immediate response from airport emergency services. Firefighters, medical personnel, and local emergency responders were dispatched to the scene as crews worked to contain the blaze and secure the accident site.
The G200, manufacturer serial number 093, was destroyed in the crash and has been classified as a hull-loss accident. No injuries on the ground were reported.
What Caused The 10 Deadliest Aviation Accidents?
The deadliest aviation accident occurred almost 50 years ago in the Canaries when two Boeing 747s collided.
Investigation Underway As Questions Remain
La Romana International Airport is an international airport located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. It serves the city of La Romana and surrounding resort areas, and is commonly used for private aviation, charter operations, and international flights connecting the Caribbean with destinations in North America and beyond.
The airport features a single asphalt runway (11/29) measuring approximately 9,678 feet (2,950 meters) in length and is equipped to handle narrow-body commercial aircraft as well as large business jets, including Gulfstream-class and other long-range executive aircraft. It operates a single-terminal setup and supports both international and domestic movements, with customs and immigration facilities for private and charter arrivals.
Dominican aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation into the crash. The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, alongside national accident investigators, is expected to examine flight data, communications, maintenance records, and other evidence to determine the circumstances that led to the emergency landing attempt and subsequent accident.
