Incident Details
A twin-engine Piper PA-31 aircraft departed Venezuela in the evening on a flight suspected to involve drug smuggling. Its intended destination was unknown. At 2226 local time, after entering Dominican airspace, the Dominican Air Force dispatched a crew in an Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano to intercept. However, at 2228 local time, the PA-31 disappeared from radar screens. The aircraft had crashed in a sugar cane field in the region of San Rafael de Yuma, between La Romana and Punta Cana.
Search and Rescue Operations
Due to limited visibility caused by night and poor weather conditions, search and rescue operations were suspended shortly after midnight. The wreckage was found the next early morning. No individuals were located at the crash site. The aircraft is likely written off. The registration YV312 may be incorrect.
Current Status
The investigation into the accident is ongoing. No probable cause has been stated.