A private jet carrying nine people — including six American citizens — crashed in the Dominican Republic shortly after takeoff, killing everyone on board.
A Gulfstream GIVSP plane leaving El Higüero airport was en route to Miami before the pilot declared an emergency and decided to divert, seeking to land at Las Americas International Airport in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, according to Helidosa Aviation Group, the company operating the jet.
Videos posted on Twitter showed smoke billowing into the sky after the jet crash.
Aeronave accidentada cerca del aeropuerto Las Américas, es propiedad de Helidosa.
7 pasajeros
2 tripulantes. pic.twitter.com/lTa8QLCuGM— Miralba Ruiz (@Miralba) December 15, 2021
In a statement, the company said “this accident causes us great pain and regret”, adding that it is asking for “solidarity to support the affected families who, together with us, are going through this very difficult time.”
Dominican Republic National Police have confirmed that six American citizens were killed in the crash, one of whom was Puerto Rican music producer José Ángel Hernández, 38, better known as Flow La Movie.
Hernández produced Urban Latin songs such as “Te Boté,” which is sung by Bad Bunny and Ozuna. He was accompanied on the jet by six relatives and colleagues, who have been identified as Debbie Von Marie Jimenez Garcia, Keilyan Hernandez, Hayden Hernandez, Yeilianys Jeishlimar Melendez Jimenez and Jesiel Yabdiel Silva.
The crew members who passed away in the crash were Luis Alberto Eljuri and Víctor Emilio Herrera, according to the company.
No details have been released as to why the pilots declared an emergency and attempted to divert the flight, or explanations as to possible causes of the crash. The Helidosa Aviation Group has announced that it is actively working to obtain more information.
The Las Americas International Airport shut down operations after the accident, canceling hundreds of flights.
