According to a statement from a music talent agency and local officials, three members of a well-known music talent agency died in a plane crash in San Diego in the early hours of Thursday, May 22nd. They were among the presumed six fatalities on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that the crash occurred before 4 a.m. in the largest naval housing community in the United States, Murphy Canyon. The Cessna 550 Citation jet was approaching the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in dense fog for landing.
Dan Eddy, Deputy Chief of the San Diego Fire Department, said during a press conference that the plane, carrying six people, struck power lines while approaching the airport and crashed into a residential building, causing an explosion. Fuel oil spilled onto the street, igniting at least six vehicles and affecting approximately 10 houses.
Sound Talent Group confirmed in a statement that David Shapiro, one of the company’s co-founders, and two colleagues lost their lives in the tragic incident.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts are with their families and everyone affected by this tragedy,” said Sound Talent Group. The company represents artists such as Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41. Shapiro is also the owner of the record label Velocity Records.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, there were six people on board the aircraft. Authorities are still searching the scene and recovering bodies, but no official list of fatalities has been released yet, with no survivors believed to be on board.
Former drummer of the metal band “The Devil Wears Prada,” Daniel Williams, is also believed to be among the victims. He shared a story on Instagram before boarding, and the band released a tribute post.
San Diego Police Officer Anthony Carrasco stated that no residents in the neighborhood died, but eight people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening injuries, including one individual who was injured while jumping out of a window during the evacuation process.
Over 100 residents were evacuated to a nearby elementary school, with the strong smell of jet fuel lingering at the scene hours after the accident, as firefighters continued to extinguish vehicle fires.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene of the accident, saying, “It’s hard to put into words the sight at the time, with fuel flowing down the street and fires all around, it was truly horrifying.”
NTSB investigator Elliot Simpson noted that the jet took off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey at 11:15 p.m. on the 21st, stopped in Wichita, Kansas for refueling, and ultimately crashed about two miles from the runway.
According to audio recordings from www.liveATC.net, the pilot’s last communication was at 3:45 a.m. on the 22nd, reporting being three miles away from the airport.
Deputy Fire Chief Eddy said the crash occurred in dense fog, where they could “hardly see the road in front of them.”
Investigators are looking into whether the plane hit power lines before the crash.
Retired sailor Christopher Moore said he and his wife immediately fled their home with their three young sons upon hearing a loud noise and seeing flames outside the window.
“It was a truly terrifying moment, but sometimes you just have to run for your life,” Moore said.
Ariya Waterworth, who lives across the street from the crash site, recalled being awakened by a “whistling sound” and a massive fireball, prompting her to evacuate with her children and dog.
The accident destroyed at least one house, severely burning the front and partially collapsing the roof, with several other residences and vehicles sustaining significant damage.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal aviation incidents in San Diego in recent years. In 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed in the suburbs, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and a UPS driver making deliveries on the ground. The aircraft was preparing to land at the time.
In 2008, a US Marine Corps fighter jet crashed into a residential area near San Diego State University, resulting in four fatalities from the explosion. Investigations later revealed mechanical failure and human error as the causes of the accident.