In the pre-dawn hours of May 22, tragedy struck the Murphy Canyon–Tierrasanta neighborhood when a Cessna 550 small jet veered off course and smashed into military housing just two miles southeast of Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. In the ensuing inferno, at least two people aboard the aircraft died and eight on the ground suffered injuries.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the jet departed Teterboro, New Jersey, at 11:15 p.m. on May 21, refueled in Wichita, Kansas, then headed toward San Diego. Senior NTSB investigator Eliott Simpson explained:
- Power Line Strike: The plane clipped power lines before slamming into a home.
- Jet Fuel Spread: Fuel streaked down streets, igniting cars and homes.
- Evacuations: Police and fire crews evacuated roughly 100 residents from burning houses.
San Diego Police Department reported two confirmed fatalities on the jet. Six passengers survived but were severely injured. On the ground, two people suffered minor injuries and were treated and released; six others required hospital care.
Local Response and Heroic Efforts
San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy praised military families who led neighbors to safety. “It’s a little miracle they got out,” he said of the house that collapsed. Nearby resident Sophia Ruiz-Gonzalez recounted:
“The side of our house was on fire. It melted our gate. The fuel just ran down the street.”
By noon, the crash site still smoked. About 40 film crews and emergency teams worked around charred remains of homes and cars.
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Industry Loss: Sound Talent Group Mourns
Music agency Sound Talent Group confirmed three employees died, including co-founder Dave Shapiro. Shapiro owned the jet and held a pilot’s license. His LinkedIn page noted he ran Velocity Aviation flight school. The agency, representing over 400 artists, stated:
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends.”
The other two victims have not yet been named publicly.
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Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
The FAA and NTSB lead the probe into causes. Investigators will recover flight data and inspect wreckage. Meanwhile, Tierrasanta residents remain shaken:
- Evacuation Orders: Homes remain off-limits until hazards are cleared.
- Housing Concerns: Displaced families seek temporary shelter.
- Military Community: Many affected belong to nearby base housing.
Officials stress no additional risks remain once fuel traces are cleaned and power lines repaired.
📢 Stay with TNN for continuous updates on the San Diego plane crash, NTSB findings, and recovery efforts in Murphy Canyon and Tierrasanta. 🚨
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