Santiago (Dominican Republic), Feb 6 (IANS/EFE) The two US nationals were killed when the helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in a mountainous area in Dominican Republic.

The accident occurred in the northwestern town of Restauracion. The US nationals were returning from a humanitarian mission in neighbouring Haiti.

The chopper burst into flames before it crashed into a mountain Thursday night, police and civil defence officials said Friday.

The victims were identified as pilot John Ward and co-pilot James Jalovec.

The helicopter was scheduled to land at the airport in northern Dominican city of Santiago.

--IANS/EFE

snb/vt