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23 May 2025
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Private jet crashed into Navy housing in San Diego; killing all six people onboard, injuring 10, US
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A private jet, a Cessna Citation II, carrying a music talent agent and five others hit a power line in foggy weather early Thursday, 22 May 2025 and crashed into a home in a San Diego neighbourhood, killing all the people on the flight. Six people were on board the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. With the home engulfed in flames and jet fuel rolling down the streets, half a dozen vehicles ignited while residents in the neighbourhood of US Navy-owned housing were shaken awake just before 4am by the thunderous crash and subsequent explosions, injuring at least eight others on the ground. Ten homes were damaged in the crash, one of which was completely destroyed.
The aircraft departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on the night of 21 May 2025. It made a fuelling stop at the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, for approximately an hour before flying to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, California. It was scheduled to land at 03h47 PDT. A recording of the pilot's communications made when the plane was three miles away from the airport showed that they planned to land on runway 28.
The aircraft first struck powerlines two miles southwest of Montgomery-Gibbs, with fragments of the aircraft being found where it struck. The plane then clipped part of a house in Tierrasanta before crashing slightly north of the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood. Several vehicles and ten homes were damaged, with one house being completely destroyed. The homes affected by the crash were Navy housing.
The FAA reported that the crash occurred at approximately 03h45am on 22 May 2025, with the crash being first reported two minutes later. Jet fuel was spread across the area. Over 50 police officers responded to the site within minutes of the crash and Hazmat was dispatched.
No one in the neighbourhood died but eight were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries that were not life-threatening, including a person who was hurt climbing out a window, police officer Anthony Carrasco said.
BNO News reported there were reports that none of the six occupants survived. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later said they believe there were no survivors. A temporary evacuation site was set up at Miller Elementary School with almost 100 people being evacuated.
All but one of the fires were extinguished by 07h37am.
Out their windows, they saw a wall of fire. “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,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
The Humane Society arrived on the scene shortly after to take care of any displaced and injured animals. According to a statement issued by Humane Society, the teams at the San Diego and Escondido campuses have taken in a total of 22 animals, including 16 dogs and puppies who were exposed to jet fuel and their veterinary team has been providing immediate medical exams and working to decontaminate all the animals. The organisation said it had received reports of dogs possibly being covered in jet fuel. The Humane Society's medical team then suited up to wash and decontaminate any pets who may have fuel on their fur.
Records obtained by CBS 8 show the plane, with a tail number of N666DS is a Cessna Citation built in 1985 and is registered to an Alaska-based LLC named, Daviator LLC, which is based in Homer, Alaska, which is located more than 200 miles south of Anchorage.
The crash occurred near Sculpin Street and Santo Road, close to the 15 Freeway. Captain Bob Heely, Commanding Officer of the Naval base in San Diego, explained that the neighbourhood where the crash occurred is Navy-owned housing.
After surveying the impacted area, San Diego officials said about 100 people have been displaced and 10 buildings have been damaged. The American Red Cross has responded to the incident and is providing help to the families impacted.
When crews from the San Diego Fire Department arrived on the scene, they quickly worked to extinguish fires at homes and cars.
The music agency, Sound Talent Group, said three of its employees were killed in the crash, including its co-founder, Dave Shapiro, who is listed as the plane's owner. "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends," the company stated. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time."
Daniel Williams, former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada, posted on his Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro. The band posted a tribute to Williams on their Instagram page. “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band wrote.
The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash. According to the NTSB, a preliminary report will be available in two weeks, with a final report available in 12 to 18 months.
Sources: CBS News, Associated Press
The aircraft departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on the night of 21 May 2025. It made a fuelling stop at the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, for approximately an hour before flying to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, California. It was scheduled to land at 03h47 PDT. A recording of the pilot's communications made when the plane was three miles away from the airport showed that they planned to land on runway 28.
The aircraft first struck powerlines two miles southwest of Montgomery-Gibbs, with fragments of the aircraft being found where it struck. The plane then clipped part of a house in Tierrasanta before crashing slightly north of the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood. Several vehicles and ten homes were damaged, with one house being completely destroyed. The homes affected by the crash were Navy housing.
The FAA reported that the crash occurred at approximately 03h45am on 22 May 2025, with the crash being first reported two minutes later. Jet fuel was spread across the area. Over 50 police officers responded to the site within minutes of the crash and Hazmat was dispatched.
No one in the neighbourhood died but eight were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries that were not life-threatening, including a person who was hurt climbing out a window, police officer Anthony Carrasco said.
BNO News reported there were reports that none of the six occupants survived. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later said they believe there were no survivors. A temporary evacuation site was set up at Miller Elementary School with almost 100 people being evacuated.
All but one of the fires were extinguished by 07h37am.
Out their windows, they saw a wall of fire. “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,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
The Humane Society arrived on the scene shortly after to take care of any displaced and injured animals. According to a statement issued by Humane Society, the teams at the San Diego and Escondido campuses have taken in a total of 22 animals, including 16 dogs and puppies who were exposed to jet fuel and their veterinary team has been providing immediate medical exams and working to decontaminate all the animals. The organisation said it had received reports of dogs possibly being covered in jet fuel. The Humane Society's medical team then suited up to wash and decontaminate any pets who may have fuel on their fur.
Records obtained by CBS 8 show the plane, with a tail number of N666DS is a Cessna Citation built in 1985 and is registered to an Alaska-based LLC named, Daviator LLC, which is based in Homer, Alaska, which is located more than 200 miles south of Anchorage.
The crash occurred near Sculpin Street and Santo Road, close to the 15 Freeway. Captain Bob Heely, Commanding Officer of the Naval base in San Diego, explained that the neighbourhood where the crash occurred is Navy-owned housing.
After surveying the impacted area, San Diego officials said about 100 people have been displaced and 10 buildings have been damaged. The American Red Cross has responded to the incident and is providing help to the families impacted.
When crews from the San Diego Fire Department arrived on the scene, they quickly worked to extinguish fires at homes and cars.
The music agency, Sound Talent Group, said three of its employees were killed in the crash, including its co-founder, Dave Shapiro, who is listed as the plane's owner. "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends," the company stated. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time."
Daniel Williams, former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada, posted on his Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro. The band posted a tribute to Williams on their Instagram page. “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band wrote.
The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash. According to the NTSB, a preliminary report will be available in two weeks, with a final report available in 12 to 18 months.
Sources: CBS News, Associated Press
