A private jet from the United States crashed into a military neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday morning, killing all six people on board. The plane caught fire after hitting power lines and then slammed into a house. The crash happened in Murphy Canyon, a neighborhood mostly made up of homes for Navy families.
The jet, a Cessna 550, started its trip from Teterboro, New Jersey, near Manhattan, at 11:15 pm on Wednesday. It stopped to refuel in Wichita, Kansas, and was headed to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego when the crash occurred. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crash site was about 3.2 kilometers from the airport.
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The weather conditions were very bad at the time, with thick fog making it hard to see, said Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Dan Eddy.
Out of the six people on board, two were confirmed dead early on, and now all six are presumed to have died. Among them were Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the metal band The Devil Wears Prada. A spokesperson for Sound Talent Group confirmed that three of their employees died in the crash. The jet was registered to Dave Shapiro, who was also a trained pilot and instructor.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our co-founder and dear colleagues,” said the talent agency in a statement. “We ask for privacy as we mourn this tragedy.”
Damage and Rescue Efforts
Although no residents of the neighborhood were killed, eight people were taken to the hospital for minor injuries and smoke inhalation. One person was hurt trying to escape through a window.
The crash caused major damage in the area. Jet fuel spilled across the street, setting many cars on fire. “Every car on both sides of the street caught fire,” said Fire Chief Eddy. At least one home was destroyed and around 10 others were damaged. Over 100 people had to be evacuated for safety.
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Authorities are still working to recover the bodies and identify all the victims. The official number of deaths will be confirmed after the investigation is complete.
