San Diego Plane Crash: Small Jet Crashes in Residential Area, Killing Several and Injuring Others

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a peaceful neighborhood in San Diego turned into a scene of devastation. A small business jet, the Cessna 550, crashed into the Murphy Canyon community, a military housing area, causing fires, injuries, and multiple deaths.

The plane had been making its approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it clipped a power line and crashed into a home, setting cars and properties ablaze.

A Desperate Attempt to Land in Poor Weather

According to audio recordings from LiveATC.net, the pilot had concerns about the weather but decided to attempt the landing. Visibility was low—just half a mile—and the clouds were only 200 feet above the ground.

“I just want to see what I’m in for here,” the pilot told the air traffic controller before receiving a weather update.

“All right, that doesn’t sound great but we’ll give it a go,” the pilot said, just minutes before the crash.

The plane never issued an emergency alert. Within 30 minutes of the conversation, tragedy struck.

Deaths and Injuries Reported

San Diego Police confirmed that at least two people died in the crash. Fire officials said six people were onboard the aircraft, and it’s believed there were no survivors.

Eight residents from the neighborhood were injured. Two were treated at the scene, while six were taken to local hospitals. Thankfully, none of the fatalities were residents of the neighborhood.

Flames, Panic, and Heroism

After hitting the power line, the plane crashed into a home, spilling fuel across the street and sparking several fires. Thick fog added to the chaos as police and fire crews rushed through the smoke to rescue people.

Neighbors didn’t wait for help. They jumped into action, pulling children, pets, and families out of burning homes.

One resident described the terrifying moment: “I ended up grabbing two of the kids over the fence, took them over to the neighbors, came back, we grabbed the ladder, got the wife out, got the two dogs out, got the husband out.”

Another resident said, “First thing I do is run upstairs, grab my children, my wife and I’m in my underwear. I just walk out… we ended up helping a few neighbors get out. That’s all that we could do.”

Jet Fuel on Fire and Homes Destroyed

The destruction stretched over a quarter mile. Several cars were on fire, and homes were badly damaged. Some vehicles parked blocks away were hit by debris.

A nearby resident shared, “I thought it was an earthquake. My kids were screaming. My whole front area was on fire. We were trapped in our home and couldn’t get out.”

Later in the day, the extent of the damage became clearer. One house had a huge hole in its side, and its roof had collapsed on a car below. The strong smell of jet fuel filled the air as investigators searched for clues.

A yellow body bag was seen near the wreckage—a haunting reminder of the lives lost.

Music Industry Suffers Loss

Among the victims were three employees of Sound Talent Group, a music agency. One of them was David Shapiro, the co-founder of the agency. Shapiro was a licensed pilot and owned the jet through a company called “Daviator LLC,” FAA records confirm.

Shapiro was known for representing top punk, rock, and indie bands. The National Independent Talent Organization released a statement calling him “a visionary in the music industry.”

First Responders Describe the Chaos

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl struggled to describe the horror his teams faced.

“I can’t quite put words to describe what this scene looked like. Jet fuel running down the streets, everything on fire… it was pretty horrific to see,” he said.

Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy added, “It’s a miracle no residents died. I didn’t expect to see that when I got on the scene. But the neighbors helped one another, and that’s what made the difference.”

Emergency Response and Support

The San Diego Humane Society stepped in to help families affected by the crash. They provided emergency shelter for 36 pets, including dogs, a cat, geckos, and even a fish tank. Some animals had to be bathed to remove jet fuel from their fur.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on the scene and began investigating. The plane had taken off from Teterboro, New Jersey, around 11:15 p.m. the night before and had stopped in Wichita, Kansas, to refuel before heading to San Diego.

Investigators believe the plane might have had a flight data recorder and possibly a voice recorder, which could help determine what happened. A preliminary report is expected within two weeks, with a final report in about a year.

A Community United in the Face of Disaster

As crews worked to clean up and investigate the site, a sense of unity remained strong in Murphy Canyon.

“I feel for the families of those on the plane and what they’re going through right now,” Assistant Chief Eddy said. “Whether you’re involved or not, people here will remember this the rest of their lives.”

The San Diego plane crash is a painful reminder of how quickly life can change. But amid the heartbreak and destruction, the bravery of neighbors and first responders showed the strength of a close-knit community.

As investigations continue, families and friends mourn the lives lost and begin the long process of healing.

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This information is sourced from CNN