On May 22nd, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that a private small aircraft that crashed in San Diego in the early hours had six people on board, all of whom perished. Officially, at least two fatalities have been confirmed, while social media and other outlets reported at least three deceased individuals, including a music talent agency founder and a drummer.
Thursday morning saw a small private aircraft crash over a military residential area in San Diego. By the afternoon, authorities confirmed at least two fatalities, with approximately 10 homes damaged, several cars burnt, and nearly a hundred residents displaced.
The privately owned Cessna-550 aircraft crashed around 3:45 am on the intersection of Sample Street and Salmon Street in the Murphy Canyon community of San Diego. This area, part of a military residential zone, is surrounded by a golf course and located about 2-3 miles from the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport commonly used by private aircraft.
During a press conference at 1:30 pm, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the air traffic control tower at the Montgomery-Gibbs airport was closed at the time of the crash. Officials stated that closure of the control tower at such small airports during that time period was common.
Police confirmed at an 11 am press conference that at least two individuals from the aircraft had perished, but investigators had not yet identified the deceased. This number was not updated during the afternoon press conference.
Officials mentioned that the 1985 Cessna 550 model could accommodate 8-10 passengers. The FAA mentioned in the afternoon that boarding records indicated there may have been six individuals on board.
According to reports from the Southern California City News Service (CNS), Flightaware.com indicated that the aircraft registered in Alaska took off from New Jersey on May 21st around 11:15 pm, made a stop for refueling in Wichita, Kansas, before heading to San Diego.
NTSB investigators stated that they believed the aircraft’s destination was the Montgomery Airport in San Diego.
FAA records showed that the aircraft was registered to an Alaska-based company owned by music industry agent Dave Shapiro. Shapiro is one of the founders of the talent agency Sound Talent Group based in El Cajon, San Diego County.
While San Diego authorities have only confirmed two fatalities from the aircraft, “Billboard” website and other media outlets reported that Shapiro and two other employees from Sound Talent Group perished in the crash.
According to reports from “Billboard” and other media sites, a spokesperson from Sound Talent Group released a statement expressing shock and sorrow over the loss of the co-founder, colleagues, and friends in the tragic incident.
Numerous entertainment and cultural websites also reported on Shapiro’s passing.
Though the identities of other victims are pending official confirmation, it is believed that one of the passengers was former drummer Daniel Williams from the metal band “The Devil Wears Prada.”
City News Service reported that Williams’ social media activity showed that he was on the same aircraft as Shapiro on the night of May 21st.
Photos posted on Williams’ Instagram on the night of the 21st indicated the aircraft’s registration number matching the airplane that crashed on the 22nd. The caption read “Flying back with @davevelocity,” referring to Shapiro’s Instagram account.
Earlier in the day on the 22nd, “The Devil Wears Prada” posted multiple photos of Williams on their social media, expressing their deep sorrow and gratitude for his contributions.
San Diego Fire Department spokesperson Dan Eddy informed the media that no individuals in the community perished in the accident, but eight individuals sustained injuries, mostly minor. They received care at evacuation centers and were not taken to hospitals, except for one person who was transported for treatment from the evacuation center.
Eddy mentioned that the crash caused a house to be destroyed and several homes caught fire, resulting in varying degrees of damage. Over ten vehicles were also destroyed in the incident. Eddy noted that all damaged homes were occupied at the time of the incident, including the one that was completely destroyed.
“Only one house was completely destroyed. But the miracle is everyone inside managed to escape, with the help of neighbors. It’s a military community, they look out for each other, it’s truly beautiful and touching,” Eddy remarked.
Fire officials stated that most fires were extinguished by 8 am, except for one vehicle fire that continued to burn and proved challenging to put out.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated that over fifty officers quickly arrived at the scene and started evacuating residents in minutes. He described the scene as unsettling with gasoline flowing on the streets and fires erupting simultaneously.
Resident Ryan Wright shared with reporters, “In the early morning, I heard a loud explosion. I went outside and heard tires bursting, the street was on fire, many people were already outside, we knocked on neighbor’s doors to ensure everyone got out safely.”
Wright mentioned that he witnessed gasoline flowing from the opposite street, igniting a car parked there. Fortunately, only one car was affected, and the gasoline did not reach the other side of his street, potentially burning many more vehicles. “I feel very lucky,” he said.
Wright expressed gratitude for the swift response of police and firefighters who promptly extinguished the fires and aided in evacuations.
He emphasized that during the incident, his priority was ensuring the safety of his family and neighbors.
Having resided in the area for only a year, Wright reflected that despite its proximity to the airport, he had never contemplated moving. “Unexpected things happen. I wasn’t afraid, just felt fortunate,” he said.
Resident Josh Minster shared, “I saw the dark sky suddenly lit up by a fireball, heard the plane crash, my first thought was to keep my children safe.”
Minster ensured that his children did not witness the events, emphasizing the importance of shielding them from such distressing scenes.
Having lived in the area for five years, Minster expressed relief at the prompt response of the fire station located nearby, enabling quick action from the fire trucks. “Very grateful for the swift response from all the rescue teams,” he said, expressing faith in the neighboring airport’s safety. “The airport has been here for a long time, planes are flying overhead today too. I’m not concerned; it’s just an unfortunate accident.”
Navy Captain Bob Healy, a Navy commander in San Diego, noted that the community where the plane crashed is one of the largest military residential areas in the US. It houses 2,300 families, including both retired and active-duty military families, with varying tenure lengths based on work requirements.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Eddy mentioned that heavy fog obscured visibility at the time of the crash, making it nearly impossible to see ahead. As of that day afternoon, the aircraft’s black box had yet to be located.
According to the Associated Press,
NTSB investigator Elliott Simpson stated during the afternoon press briefing that the aircraft hit power lines about two miles southeast of the airport, then collided with a home. Simpson declined to confirm if the aircraft striking the power lines was related to the crash but mentioned that aircraft debris was found near the power lines.
On-site observers noted airplane wing fragments on Santo road, adjacent to fallen power lines. The aircraft, apparently losing a wing on one side, proceeded, crossing over residences, with its fragments and spilled gasoline igniting homes and vehicles on Salmon Street and perpendicular Sample Street in the following block.
A question was raised during the press conference regarding the absence of other aircraft remnants. Eddy explained that the aircraft’s speed could have led to numerous small debris pieces scattering, making it challenging to locate larger fragments, with pieces potentially strewn across a broader area.
NTSB indicated that a preliminary report was anticipated to be released within about two weeks, with the final report taking over a year or more.
San Diego officials noted that approximately 130 firefighters participated in extinguishing the fires, utilizing 13 fire engines, 5 ladder trucks, and 4 medical supervisors. In addition to assisting around 100 residents in evacuating to the evacuation center set up at Miller Elementary School nearby. Rescue organizations and donors contributed food, children’s toys, clothing, diapers, and other essential items. Rescuers also saved at least 12 animals. Commander Healy assured that evacuated individuals would be well taken care of, ensuring they had a place to go.
Around 12:15 pm on October 11, 2021, a twin-engine aircraft flying from Yuma, Arizona, to San Diego crashed in a residential area in Santee, East County of San Diego, resulting in two deaths. The deceased were pilot and cardiologist Dr. Sugata Das and UPS delivery driver Steve Krueger, who was delivering packages in the community at the time. The aircraft was en route to a small airport in East County San Diego.
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