On Sunday, a private Gulfstream business jet crashed at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. Both crew members, the pilot and co-pilot, died at the scene.
According to preliminary information, the aircraft reported an engine failure shortly after takeoff. The crew immediately informed the air traffic control tower of the loss of power and requested an immediate return to the airport.
The tragedy occurred during an emergency landing maneuver. The aircraft crashed on the airport apron. Rescue services, firefighters and airport authorities arrived at the scene immediately.
The victims were two American pilots
Only the two crew members were on board, both of them citizens of the United States. Their identities have already been established, but for now they are not officially being published for formal reasons.
Footage from the airport shows the dramatic moments of the crash, with the aircraft losing altitude and crashing during its approach to the runway.
Footage of the crash posted on X
Investigation underway
The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission have launched an investigation. At this stage, the cause of the engine failure has not been disclosed, nor have details of what exactly went wrong during the landing.
Gulfstream private jets are among the most advanced business aircraft in the world and are typically operated by experienced pilots. The fact that such a tragedy occurred during a routine return after a single engine failure raises many questions.
Rescue services acted very quickly, but the crew could not be saved.
