Accident
Two minutes after takeoff from runway 16 at Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, during initial climb, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine had failed and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly after, the left engine also failed. The airplane went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed into the Caribbean Sea approximately three kilometers offshore. Few debris floated on the water, while others sank to a depth of 300 meters. All 102 occupants were killed, including Dominican boxer Carlos Teo Cruz, the world lightweight champion, and a large part of the Puerto Rico National Women's Volleyball Team.
Investigation
The aircraft was brand new, delivered by Douglas Corp to Dominicana de Aviación on December 16, 1969. Only a few pieces of debris were recovered. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were not found. Due to the lack of evidence, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the double engine failure may have been caused by contamination of the fuel by a significant quantity of water.