The two pilots killed in Sunday’s Gulfstream G200 crash at La Romana International Airport have been identified as Erick Javier Diago and Rudy Ghazal, both US nationals. The jet had been scheduled to pick up former MLB catcher Yadier Molina and his family in Texas for a trip to Puerto Rico. Molina expressed his grief on social media, calling the incident ‘devastating’ and offering condolences to the pilots’ families.
The US-registered Gulfstream G200, tail number N318JF, had arrived from Puerto Rico and refuelled at La Romana before departing for Austin, Texas. About 16 nautical miles southwest of the airport, the crew reported severe mechanical problems and declared an emergency. Footage shows the jet scraping along the runway before veering off and erupting into a fireball, with investigators noting it approached from an unconventional direction against the prevailing traffic pattern.
The flight crew reported an inflight emergency (appears to be a failure of one of the engines) and their intent to return back to the airport.
ADS-B data indicate that the aircraft took off from runway 11 at LRM about 19:30 UTC, making a right hand turn until it flew a 300° track. At 19:35 it began two left-hand turns and appeared to be lining up for runway 11 for an emergency landing.
AD-B data is missing for about four minutes and the aircraft was then tracked circling to the north-west of the airport. After completing four left-hand turns, the aircraft lined up for an emergency landing on runway 29.
Weather data at the time of landing, 20:10 UTC, indicate am 8.7 kts tailwind component.
Videos of the accident sequence appear to show the aircraft veering to the left after landing. The main undercarriage collapsed as the aircraft slid across the grass next to the runway. The no.1 engine can be seen separating from the fuselage. The aircraft then burst into flames when the wing fuel tanks ruptured.
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA) are examining the cause of the crash, focusing on possible severe mechanical failures such as engine or flight control issues. Investigators are analysing flight data, maintenance records, and crew communications to determine what changed during the final approach. The incident adds to a history of fatal private jet crashes in the Dominican Republic, including a 2021 accident that killed nine people.