A devastating plane crash shook San Diego in the early hours of May 22, 2025, as a Cessna 550 business jet plummeted into a residential neighborhood, ππΎππing all six people on board. The aircraft, attempting to land at Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport, lost control amid thick fog and poor visibility, ultimately crashing into homes in the Murphy Canyon area. Among the victims were notable figures from the music industry, including Dave Shapiro, co-founder of the Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada.
The ill-fated flight had departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, late on May 21, making a scheduled refueling stop in Kansas before heading to San Diego. At approximately 3:45 a.m. local time, the pilot reported being three miles from the airport, but the weather conditions were dire, forcing reliance on instrument flight rules. Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene as the jet struck power lines just two miles from the runway, igniting a massive fire that engulfed at least one home and damaged several others, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Authorities are investigating the crash, with early indications suggesting that the fog may have severely impaired the pilot’s ability to see the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release further findings, but the tragedy has already raised alarms about aviation safety in adverse weather conditions. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic incident, the urgency for answers grows ever more pressing.