A private jet scheduled to transport MLB All-Star Yadier Molina and his family crashed shortly after takeoff in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board.
Crash Details
The Gulfstream G200 Galaxy executive jet, registered in the United States, had declared an emergency soon after departing from La Romana International Airport. It was heading to Austin, Texas, but was forced to return for an emergency landing. The airport confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement.
Videos circulating on social media captured the harrowing landing attempt. The plane appeared to lose its landing gear, skidding on its belly along a grassy area beside the runway before erupting into flames upon stopping.
The aircraft had declared an emergency when it was approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana, according to Dominican newspaper Listin Diario. Firefighters were among the first responders to arrive and combat the blaze.
Yadier Molina's Statement
The 10-time MLB All-Star, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2004 to 2022, addressed the tragedy in a since-deleted Instagram Story. He wrote, “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 had been in Round Rock, Texas, on Saturday to watch his son compete in the UIL Texas high school baseball state championships, as reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Pilots Identified
The airport identified the deceased as pilot Erick Javier Diago and co-pilot Rudy Ghazal, both U.S. citizens. No passengers were on board at the time of the crash.
Investigation Underway
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA) are investigating the cause of the crash.
