A private executive jet bound for Texas to pick up former St. Louis Cardinals star Yadier Molina crashed shortly after takeoff in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.
The U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 Galaxy jet departed from La Romana International Airport with only the pilot and co-pilot on board. According to the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), the aircraft declared an emergency when it was approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of the airport. The crew attempted an emergency return to the runway but lost stability during the maneuver.
Upon impact, the aircraft erupted into a massive fireball on the runway, sending a large pillar of black smoke into the air. Emergency responders, including local fire and rescue teams, rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames and secure the area. Officials confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot died in the crash. Authorities have not yet released their identities.
Molina, a 10-time MLB All-Star who played his entire 19-year career with the Cardinals, addressed the tragedy in a statement shared on his Instagram account.
“My condolences to the pilots and their families,” Molina wrote. “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.”
Dominican aviation authorities announced that a full investigation is underway, with assistance from specialized agencies, to determine the exact nature of the mechanical failure or onboard issue that triggered the emergency.
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