Pilot, Co-pilot Killed as Private Jet Crashes During Emergency Landing in USA

A pilot and co-pilot have been killed after a private jet crashed during an emergency landing at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, a country in the Caribbean region. Authorities in the country have confirmed that no other passengers were on board the aircraft at the time of the accident.

A video posted on social media shows the jet bursting into flames shortly after managing to land at the airport.

Another clip shows large plumes of smoke rising from the airport. Fire service personnel have begun working to bring the fire under control.

According to a US news media report, the private jet, a US-registered Gulfstream G-200 model, was headed to Austin, Texas. However, en route, a mechanical failure developed when the aircraft was approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of La Romana Airport. Consequently, the pilot declared an emergency there.

The relevant authorities have stated that an investigation has already begun to determine the actual cause of the Gulfstream G-200 jet crash.

In a statement on the social media platform X, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation said that aviation authorities have activated relevant protocols. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Notably, this airport primarily serves the tourist city of La Romana. The tourism sector is the main driver of the economy of the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation with a population of 11.6 million.

Previously, in 2021, a private plane crashed after taking off from Las Américas International Airport in the country's capital, Santo Domingo, killing 9 people.

Source: NDTV