Flight History
On December 15, 2021, at approximately 1725 local time, a Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-SP, registration HI-1050, owned by Helidosa Aviation Group S.A. and operated under Dominican Aviation Regulation 135, struck terrain and was destroyed during an attempted landing at Las Américas International Airport (MDSD) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The aircraft had departed from Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport (MDJB) at approximately 1709 local time, bound for Orlando International Airport (KMCO) in Orlando, Florida, USA. The flight was an international non-scheduled passenger operation conducted under instrument flight rules, with visual meteorological conditions prevailing.
Earlier that day, the aircraft had completed its first flight from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (TJSJ) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to MDJB.
Maintenance and Spoiler Issues
Communications between the company and the crew indicated that the right-wing spoiler actuators were to be replaced after the aircraft arrived at MDJB. Upon arrival, a tug was attached and the aircraft was towed to a Helidosa hangar for the maintenance work. The aircraft was scheduled to depart for KMCO once the work was completed. Security camera footage showed that the maintenance took approximately three hours. During that time, the passengers waited in the VIP terminal. A spare GIV was available, but the passengers reportedly preferred to fly on this specific aircraft.
Video evidence revealed that maintenance personnel continued working on the aircraft even after it was pulled from the hangar, with more than five individuals under the right wing. The cameras captured the ailerons moving and the spoilers on both wings extending and retracting repeatedly. After the process, the aircraft was towed to ramp position 10 with all spoilers retracted.
Subsequent security footage showed flight controls and spoilers moving before the aircraft left the ramp after passenger boarding. During this period, spoilers on both wings extended, but only those on the left wing returned to the stowed position, except on two occasions when both extended and retracted twice during a right turn from the parking position. Another camera captured the aircraft from behind during taxi, showing all three right-wing spoilers extended and the left-wing spoilers stowed. Video from takeoff showed the aircraft lifting off with a right-wing-low attitude and the right spoilers still extended. A witness photograph taken during a baseball game at Quisqueya Stadium confirmed that the right-wing spoilers remained extended while the left-wing spoilers were not.
Emergency and Impact
Preliminary radar data from the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) showed that the aircraft departed MDJB around 1709, made a left turn of approximately 180 degrees, and headed toward the National District. It then conducted a 360-degree left turn over the district. According to preliminary ATC audio recordings, the flight crew reported a hydraulic problem and later specifically a problem with the ailerons. They declared an emergency and attempted to return to MDJB. During the emergency, the crew received numerous calls from the operator.
As the situation developed, the crew requested a destination change and radar vectors to MDSD. They received clearance to land on runway 35 at MDSD. However, the aircraft overflew runway 35 while turning left just inside the approach end, then struck trees and terrain near the runway. The total flight time from departure to impact was approximately 16 minutes.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. All nine occupants—three crew and six passengers—sustained fatal injuries. The post-impact trajectory and fire caused negative environmental effects; no significant third-party damage was reported as of the report's issuance.
Investigation
The Comisión Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación (CIAA) was notified on December 15, 2021, with investigators arriving two hours later. Three groups were formed to assess operational aspects, human factors, and maintenance. The FAA, NTSB, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Rolls Royce participated as accredited representatives and technical advisors under ICAO Annex 13. The NTSB acted as the accredited representative for the aircraft's state of manufacture, with the FAA also serving as an accredited representative. Gulfstream Aerospace and Rolls Royce served as technical advisors to the NTSB. The CIAA is conducting the investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and issued this provisional statement on December 15, 2025.