Private jet on its way to pick up ex-MLBer Yadier Molina crashes in Dominican Republic
· Toronto Sun
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A private jet on its way to pick up MLB All-Star Yadier Molina crashed shortly after takeoff in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, killing the pilot and co-pilot on board.
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The U.S. registered Gulfstream G200 Galaxy executive jet had declared an emergency shortly after departing La Romana International Airport on its way to Austin, Texas, and was returning to make an emergency landing, the airport said in a statement posted on Facebook Sunday.
Videos posted on social media showed the jet as it attempted to land, with the plane appearing to lose its landing gear; its belly skidding on a stretch of grass next to the runway, then bursting into flames as it came to a stop.
#BREAKING
— AEROIN (@aero_in) June 7, 2026
Jatinho Gulfstream G200 faz pouso de emergência na República Dominicana, sai da pista e pega fogo
Imagens impressionantes gravadas no Aeroporto Internacional La Romana
De matrícula N318JF, o jatinho decolou e precisou voltar pro problemas@OnDisasters pic.twitter.com/YhXrOvBfaI
Molina spoke about the tragic incident in a since-deleted Instagram Story, writing, “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.”
The 10-time MLB All-Star who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2004 to 2022, was in Round Rock, Texas, Saturday to watch his son play in the UIL Texas high school baseball state championships, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
Another visual of the Gulfstream G200 aircraft with registration N318JK, that had departed from La Romana bound for Austin Airport, Texas, United States.
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) June 7, 2026
Initial information indicates hydraulic problem due to which the emergency situation occurred that forced the crew to return… https://t.co/4ldQz9XUCr pic.twitter.com/HkFmG1RNol
Pilots identified
Pilot Erick Javier Diago and co-pilot Rudy Ghazal, both U.S. citizens, died in the accident, the airport said, adding that no passengers were on board.
The plane had declared an emergency when it was about 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana, and turned back to La Romana International Airport, Dominican newspaper, Listin Diario , reported
Firefighters were among the first emergency personnel who rushed to the scene to tackle the fire.
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA) are investigating the cause of the crash.