A small private aircraft crashed into a residential area of San Diego early Thursday morning, resulting in two fatalaties and sparking a massive fire that damaged homes and numerous vehicles.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Cessna 550 jet went down around 3:45 a.m. local time in the 10000 block of Sample Street (near Salmon Street and just west of the Admiral Baker Golf Course), just moments before it was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The flight originated in Wichita, Kansas, and was on final approach to the San Diego airport when it crashed. FAA records show there was no distress call issued prior to the crash, and the aircraft was about 500 feet above the ground during its last radar contact. In a statement, the FAA said, “A Cessna 550 crashed near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in California at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 22. At this time, the number of individuals on board remains unconfirmed.”
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy stated during a press briefing that all the confirmed fatalities so far were occupants of the aircraft. Eddy said that the incident led to the destruction of several houses and a vehicle fire. San Diego police reported that one individual was taken to the hospital, while two others were treated on site and later released, with almost 100 other people evacuated from the area in Murphy Canyon — known as one of the world’s largest military housing communities, according to Capt. Robert Heely, commanding officer at Naval Base San Diego.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, six people were on board the plane. Music agency Sound Talent Group said Thursday that three of its employees, including co-founder Dave Shapiro, died as a result of the crash. (Shapiro is listed as the owner of the plane and has a pilot’s license, according to the FAA). The agency didn’t share the names of the other two employees who died, but said in a statement: “we are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”
Mayor Todd Gloria during the press conference that “these are military families—an essential part of our community—and our city will be doing everything we can to support them.” Police Chief Scott Wahl added: “It’s hard to describe just how devastating the scene is. Jet fuel was running down the street, fires were breaking out everywhere—it was chaos. The bravery shown by officers and firefighters, running in to evacuate people and try to save lives, was nothing short of heroic.”
In response to the crash, multiple elementary schools in the vicinity were closed for the day Evacuation efforts are ongoing, with residents being directed to a nearby school. Emergency teams are also conducting door-to-door checks to ensure no one remains trapped inside affected homes.
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