Fatal Private Jet Crash San Diego Neighborhood, Homes and Vehicles on Fire
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 22, 2025) — Six people died when a private jet crashed early Thursday morning in a San Diego neighborhood during dense fog, igniting at least 15 homes and several vehicles, and prompting the evacuation of multiple city blocks.
All the fatalities were aboard the Cessna 550 jet after it went down around 3:45 a.m. on May 22nd in Murphy Canyon, a military housing community near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
UPDATE: David Shapiro, 42, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, Dominic Christopher Damian, 41, a software engineer, Kendall An Fortner, 24, a SDSU graduate and booking associate at STG, Larry Daniel Williams, 49, a drummer for Devil Wears Prada, Emma L. Huke, 25, a booking associate at STG, Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, 36, a photographer, all died in the crash. Three were found deceased in the plane, one was in the driveway of a home, one in a yard, and one in the street.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was reportedly traveling from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, and scheduled to land just minutes later.
San Diego Police and Fire-Rescue crews arrived swiftly to battle flames intensified by leaking jet fuel. “We have jet fuel all over the place,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy. “Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now.”
Despite the fiery aftermath, no residents were seriously injured. “When it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down, it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,” Eddy said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead. Authorities are also reviewing whether the plane may have struck a power line in the low-visibility conditions.
A local resident told reporters they were awakened by a loud bang. They grabbed their children and ran out of their home.
Foggy weather at the time severely limited visibility, adding to the danger and complexity of the emergency response.
Authorities expect to remain on-site for an extended investigation and cleanup effort.
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Source: KTLA 5 News
