San Diego, CA – A private jet carrying a prominent music talent agent and five others crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday morning, impacting a home and resulting in multiple fatalities among those on board. The incident occurred in foggy conditions, igniting a devastating scene of flames and jet fuel that prompted the evacuation of approximately 100 residents.
The crash, which occurred in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a large U.S. Navy-owned housing area, jolted residents awake just before 4 a.m. with a thunderous impact and subsequent explosions. Witnesses described a wall of fire engulfing the home struck by the aircraft and jet fuel flowing down the streets, igniting at least half a dozen vehicles.
“I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” stated San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
While no fatalities were reported in the neighborhood, eight individuals were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and non-life-threatening injuries, including one person who sustained injuries while escaping through a window, according to police officer Anthony Carrasco.
The music industry mourned the loss of Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two of his employees, who were among those killed in the crash, the agency confirmed in a statement. Sound Talent Group has represented notable artists such as the band Hanson, singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton, and the rock group Sum 41. Shapiro also owned Velocity Records.
“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,” the agency conveyed in their statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that six individuals were on board the Cessna 550 Citation aircraft. Authorities are currently at the scene, meticulously recovering bodies and gathering evidence before releasing an official count and identifications. However, it is believed there were no survivors.
Daniel Williams, former drummer for the metal band The Devil Wears Prada, had indicated on his Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the flight with Shapiro. The band later posted a heartfelt tribute to Williams on their own Instagram page, writing, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” A representative for the band referred to this social media post when questioned about Williams’ death.
Elliot Simpson of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) detailed the extensive debris field, noting fragments of Shapiro’s 1985 Cessna scattered across a wide area, including pieces found under power lines and a section of wing on a road behind the affected homes.
Neighborhood Devastation and Resident Accounts
The home directly struck by the jet was completely destroyed, suffering severe fire damage and a partial roof collapse. Approximately ten other homes in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood sustained damage.
Ben McCarty and his wife, residents of the impacted home, recounted feeling intense heat surrounding them. “My wife was screaming, and she’s like, ‘There’s a fire,’” McCarty, a 13-year Navy veteran, told local ABC affiliate KGTV. Upon moving towards the front of their house, they discovered the roof had caved in, blocking their primary exit. They quickly gathered their children and dogs, escaping through the back with the assistance of neighbors who helped them climb over a fence. The aircraft also struck and incinerated both of the couple’s vehicles, with McCarty stating, “It put my truck into our living room.”
Other vehicles along the street were reduced to melted and scorched shells. One car fire persisted for hours, sending plumes of smoke into the air.
Ariya Waterworth, a resident of the neighborhood, described waking up to a “whooshing sound” followed by the sight of a large fireball outside her window. She screamed for help and was assisted by firefighters in evacuating her two children and their dog. One of her family’s cars was “completely disintegrated,” while the other suffered significant damage. Her yard was littered with aircraft parts, broken glass, and other debris. “I definitely do feel blessed, because we’ve been spared,” Waterworth expressed.
At least 100 residents were evacuated from the area. Hours after the crash, jet fuel continued to flow down Salmon Street, and the lingering smell of fumes persisted throughout the day. Officials indicated that the timeline for residents’ safe return remained uncertain. “We have jet fuel all over the place,” stated Assistant San Diego Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy. He also noted the exceptionally dense fog in the morning, stating, “you could barely see in front of you.”
Flight Origin and Investigation Details
NTSB investigator Elliot Simpson revealed that the flight originated from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, near Manhattan, departing at approximately 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. The aircraft made a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing its journey to San Diego. Based on the flight path, the intended destination was Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) northwest of the crash site. Simpson added that the aircraft struck power lines approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) southeast of the airfield.
Audio recordings from www.liveATC.net captured a brief transmission from the pilot at 3:45 a.m., indicating he was on final approach to the airport and was about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) out.
NTSB investigators planned to conduct on-site evidence gathering throughout Thursday and Friday. Simpson encouraged any witnesses with video footage or additional details to come forward.
Foggy Weather and Landing Protocols
Aviation attorney Barry Newman, board-certified in the field, suggested that given the early morning hour and foggy conditions, the plane was likely operating under instrument flight rules (IFR), a common procedure during periods of reduced visibility. However, he explained that for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, once an aircraft descends to 673 feet (205 meters), the pilot must also rely on visual cues. “If a pilot descends to that level and he can’t see the runway, he has to call for a missed approach or divert to another airport,” Newman stated.
This tragic incident evokes memories of past aviation accidents in the San Diego area, including a 2021 twin-engine plane crash in a suburb that killed the pilot and a UPS driver, and a 2008 Marine Corps fighter jet crash into a home that resulted in four fatalities.
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