Aerofab INC LAKE LA 250 accident near Puerto Plata, Do, October 17, 2016
On October 17, 2016 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Aerofab INC LAKE LA 250, registered N724ST, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Puerto Plata (Gregorio Luperón International airport). It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 3 people were killed. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 2016 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic · Gregorio Luperón International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Aerofab INC LAKE LA 250 NO SERIES · all LAKE LA 250s on the register
- Registration
- N724ST · no longer on the register · serial 28
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 17, 2016, about 2200 coordinated universal time, an AeroFab, Inc. Lake-250, N724ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ocean while on approach to Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Dominican Republic. Further information can be obtained from: Comisión Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación Junta de Aviación Civil Calle José Joaquín Pérez no. 104, Gazcue Santo Domingo República Dominicana Tel.: (1) 809 689-4167 E-mail: ciaa.jac@gmail.com Website: www.ciaa.gob.do Fax: (1) 809 221-8616
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Dwn Air Services Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: PAP Tambarre at 9:00 pm
- Destination: POP Puerto Plata
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.