A Dominican jet crash killed two crew members after a U.S. registered business aircraft exploded during an emergency landing.
A private business jet crashed and burst into flames Sunday at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, killing the pilot and co-pilot on board, aviation authorities said.
The aircraft was a Gulfstream G200 twin-engine business jet with U.S. registration N318JF, according to early reports. The plane had taken off from La Romana and was headed to Austin, Texas, before the crew reported a serious mechanical problem and tried to return to the airport.
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation said the aircraft had two crew members on board and no passengers. The agency did not immediately release the names of the pilot and co-pilot, according to reporting by The Sun. The Sun
Aircraft Turned Back After Reported Mechanical Trouble
Preliminary reports said the crew declared an emergency when the jet was about 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana. The pilots turned back toward the airport in an attempt to land.
Video shared online appeared to show the aircraft skidding near the runway before erupting into a large fireball. Emergency crews responded quickly, but the two crew members did not survive.
Authorities said the crash happened during the emergency landing attempt. Officials have not yet released a final cause.
La Romana International Airport is located in eastern Dominican Republic, near one of the country’s major tourist regions.
No Passengers Were On Board
Officials said the pilot and co-pilot were the only people on the aircraft at the time of the crash.
That detail may have prevented a larger loss of life. The Gulfstream G200 is a midsize business jet that can normally carry several passengers depending on cabin layout.
The Nightly reported that the jet had originally taken off for Austin before the crew turned back because of a reported serious mechanical issue. The Nightly
Airport operations were disrupted after the crash while emergency crews secured the scene and investigators began their work.
Investigation Now Focuses on What Went Wrong
Aviation authorities are expected to review the aircraft’s maintenance history, flight data, air traffic control communications, weather conditions and the crew’s emergency actions.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says foreign civil aviation authorities usually lead investigations when accidents happen outside the United States. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board may assist when a U.S. registered aircraft is involved. More information about U.S. accident investigation roles is available through the Federal Aviation Administration.
The NTSB also explains that it may support foreign investigations involving U.S. registered aircraft, U.S. operators, or U.S. manufactured aircraft. National Transportation Safety Board
Officials in the Dominican Republic have not released a final timeline of the aircraft’s last moments.
A Fatal Crash After a Return Attempt
The crash has drawn attention because the crew appeared to be trying to get the aircraft safely back to the airport after reporting trouble.
Emergency returns are among the most tense moments in aviation. Pilots must manage the aircraft, communicate with air traffic control and make quick decisions while dealing with a developing problem.
In this case, the jet made it back to the airport area but did not complete a safe landing.
The confirmed facts remain limited. A U.S. registered Gulfstream G200 left La Romana for Texas, reported trouble, turned back and crashed during the landing attempt. Both crew members died, and investigators are now working to determine why.