A Gulfstream G200 executive jet crashed at La Romana International Airport, in the Dominican Republic, during an attempted emergency landing. The pilot and co-pilot died in the accident.
The aircraft, identified by the registration N318JF, had departed from La Romana bound for Austin, Texas, in the United States. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported technical problems and declared an emergency, beginning the return to the Dominican airport.
According to preliminary information, the plane was about 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana when the crew requested to return. During the landing attempt, the aircraft crashed within the airport area. The exact causes have not yet been determined.
The victims were identified as Erick Javier Diago, the pilot, and Ruddy Ghazal, the co-pilot. Both were U.S. nationals and were the only occupants of the jet at the time of the accident. There were no passengers on board.
The Gulfstream G200 involved in the accident was manufactured in 2004 by Israel Aircraft Industries, according to aviation records. The aircraft is registered to Aibonito Aviation LLC, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Dominican Republic’s Aviation Accident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the crash, including the technical and operational factors involved in the attempted return to the airport.
Former baseball player Yadier Molina said on social media that the plane was heading to Texas to pick him up, along with family members and friends, before returning to Puerto Rico.
La Romana International Airport released a statement regretting the accident and expressing condolences to the families of the two crew members.
WATCH: The pilot and co-pilot of a G200 executive jet were killed following an accident at La Romana International Airport.
The aircraft, which had departed for Austin, Texas, reported technical problems and declared an emergency approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of La… pic.twitter.com/DB8SBL3abj
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 8, 2026
+ Video: French Rafale intercepts six Russian aircraft during NATO mission in the Baltic
+ Pope Leo XIV is received by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their daughters in Madrid
Source and images: La Romana International Airport, Aviation Accident Investigation Commission, aviation records | X @aviationbrk | Instagram @yadier_marciano_molina | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
