Council of Captains calls for NTSB to lead La Romana plane crash investigation

Santo Domingo.- The Council of Captains has called for the investigation into Sunday’s fatal plane crash near La Romana International Airport to be led by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), arguing that an independent international process would strengthen transparency and public confidence in the findings.

In a statement, the organization expressed condolences to the families of the two pilots who died in the crash of a Gulfstream G200 aircraft, registration N318JF. The union said its request is based on recent amendments to Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which allow for the transfer of an accident investigation to another state or body under certain circumstances.

The group cited concerns about the credibility of local investigations, pointing to the unresolved investigation into the December 2021 Helidosa plane crash. According to the Council of Captains, the absence of a final report more than four years after that accident has raised concerns within the aviation community and among relatives of the victims.

The organization argued that NTSB participation would enhance the independence and credibility of the current investigation, particularly because the aircraft involved carried U.S. registration. It also noted that this would be the second fatal aviation accident involving U.S. nationals in the Dominican Republic whose investigation remains open.

The Council of Captains said it will continue monitoring the case and reiterated its call for an investigative process that guarantees transparency, independence, and public trust.