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

Plane on way to pick up Yadier Molina and his family crashed in Dominican Republic, killing pilot and co-pilot

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.

Former major league baseball all-star catcher Yadier Molina said on social media that the plane was bound for Texas to pick him up, along with family and friends.

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

It was not immediately known what caused the crash, which was captured on a cellphone video that was widely circulated on social media. No passengers were onboard.

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

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

The pilot and co-pilot reported an emergency shortly after taking off from the Dominican Republic, authorities said.