A private jet originating from Teterboro, New Jersey, crashed into a San Diego neighborhood, causing a massive fire and resulting in at least two fatalities and eight injuries. The incident occurred early Thursday morning in the Tierrasanta neighborhood, primarily inhabited by military families. The Cessna 550 jet crashed into several homes and vehicles around 4 a.m. local time, leaving a large debris field and setting at least 15 homes on fire.
Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy described the scene as a “gigantic debris field” with jet fuel scattered across the area. The immediate priority for the authorities was to evacuate the surrounding blocks and ensure the safety of the residents. The two confirmed fatalities are believed to be passengers on the plane, with no survivors from the aircraft reported.
Firefighters continued to battle the flames hours after the crash, with the smell of jet fuel still lingering in the air. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “horrific,” with jet fuel flowing down the street and multiple simultaneous fires.
The Cessna 550 has a capacity of up to 10 passengers, but the exact number of people on board at the time of the crash remains unknown, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plane had made a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas, before the crash. The flight was scheduled to arrive at the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport from the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
The jet, registered to Alaska-based company Daviator LLC, is listed for sale between $900,000 and $1.3 million on Trade-a-Plane.com. The company’s manager and sole employee, 42-year-old David Shapiro, is a certified flight instructor since 2010. It is yet to be confirmed if Shapiro was on board at the time of the crash.
Residents in the vicinity of the crash were awakened by the loud impact and ensuing fire. Christopher Moore, a local resident, described the incident as “horrifying” as he and his wife grabbed their two young children and fled the scene.
The cause of the crash is yet to be determined. However, it occurred during intense morning fog near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The FAA has announced that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation. This incident follows a similar crash in October 2021, where a twin-engine plane crashed into a San Diego suburb, resulting in two fatalities and several homes being set ablaze.