Locals captured this crash on video.
[Warning: I purposely used a less graphic video here, but viewer discretion is advised]
A pilot and co-pilot from the United States have died in a fiery plane crash as they attempted an emergency landing in the Dominican Republic, authorities said.
The incident occurred Sunday near the southern coastal town of La Romana, according to a statement by the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, which identified the pilot and co-pilot as U.S. citizens. It wasn't immediately known what caused the crash. No passengers were aboard.
Here's another more graphic angle showing a closeup of the entire landing.
[Again, viewer discretion is advised.]
Officials said the plane declared an emergency shortly after takeoff and attempted to return to the airport before crashing.
Flight radar of the craft shows its path as it looped around in an attempt to burn fuel:
The plane was reportedly en route to pick up the legendary former catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals:
MLB All-Star former catcher Yadier Molina said on social media that the plane was bound for Texas to pick him up, along with family and friends. Molina and his group were headed to his native Puerto Rico.
"My condolences to the pilots and their families," Molina said in his Instagram post. "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."
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