2 US pilots killed in fiery crash in Dominican Republic

Two American pilots were killed Sunday when their plane crashed in flames near La Romana, Dominican Republic, shortly after the crew declared an emergency during takeoff, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The pilots were ferrying the aircraft from Puerto Rico to Texas, with a refueling stop in the Dominican Republic, to pick up former MLB All-Star catcher Yadier Molina. No passengers were on board at the time of the crash.

The aircraft originated in Puerto Rico and touched down in the Dominican Republic to refuel before resuming its flight to Texas. Shortly after taking off from the refueling stop, the pilot and co-pilot reported an emergency, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

No passengers were aboard at the time of the crash. The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation confirmed that both crew members were U.S. citizens. Neither pilot was publicly identified as of Sunday, and the cause of the crash had not been determined at the time of reporting.

The plane was bound for Texas to collect former MLB All-Star catcher Yadier Molina and members of his traveling party, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

After news of the crash emerged, Molina addressed the tragedy publicly. "My condolences to the pilots and their family!" Molina said on social media, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation and had not been determined as of Sunday, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.