Two US pilots killed after plane bound to pick up former MLB star crashes | US news

A U.S. pilot and co-pilot died in a fiery plane crash while trying to make an emergency landing in the Dominican Republic, officials said.

Former major league baseball star catcher Yadier Molina said on social media that the plane would go to Texas to pick him up with his family and friends.

The crash occurred Sunday near the southern coastal town of La Romana, according to a statement from the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute, which described the pilot and co-pilot as U.S. citizens.

It was not immediately known what caused the crash, which was captured in a cellphone video that spread widely on social media. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

“My condolences to the pilots and their families!” Molina wrote.

He and his group were heading to Puerto Rico.

Officials said the plane took off from Puerto Rico and landed in the Dominican Republic to refuel before heading to Texas.

Officials said the pilot and co-pilot declared an emergency shortly after taking off from the Dominican Republic.