San Diego Plane Crash Aftermath: Tragedy in Murphy Canyon

On May 22, 2025, a Cessna 550 Citation II jet crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego, California, just before 4 a.m., leaving a trail of devastation in one of the U.S. military’s largest housing communities. The tragic incident, which occurred near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, claimed the lives of all six passengers on board and injured eight people on the ground, while damaging approximately 10–15 homes and numerous vehicles. As the community grapples with the aftermath, official investigations are underway, and safety concerns have taken center stage. This blog explores the impact of the crash, the community’s response, official statements, and the broader implications for aviation safety.

The Crash: A Devastating Impact

The Cessna 550 Citation II, registered as N666DS, was a twin-engine business jet owned by Dave Shapiro through Daviation LLC, based in Homer, Alaska. The aircraft, built in 1985, departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on May 21, 2025, at 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time, stopped for fuel in Wichita, Kansas, and was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:47 a.m. PDT. As it approached Runway 28R in dense fog, with visibility at half a mile and a cloud ceiling of 200 feet, the jet struck high-voltage power lines two miles southeast of the airport. It then clipped a house in the Tierrasanta area before crashing into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a military housing complex managed by Liberty Military Housing.

The impact was catastrophic. The crash ignited multiple fires, with jet fuel spilling down streets, setting at least 15 homes and numerous vehicles ablaze. One home was completely destroyed, and a “gigantic debris field” spread across the densely packed neighborhood, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy. All six passengers, including Shapiro, a music executive and certified flight instructor, employees Emma Huke and Kendall Fortner of Sound Talent Group, photographer Celina Kenyon, Dominic Damian, and former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams, were presumed dead, with no survivors reported. Eight residents sustained injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation, with five hospitalized and three treated for minor injuries.

Community Response: Resilience Amid Chaos

The Murphy Canyon and Tierrasanta communities demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy. First responders, including the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, San Diego Police, California Highway Patrol, and military police, acted swiftly to extinguish fires, evacuate approximately 100 residents, and secure the area. Residents assisted neighbors in escaping burning homes, and some even helped rescue pets, as documented in Associated Press photos. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “pretty horrific,” with jet fuel igniting cars on both sides of the street, yet the community’s collective effort ensured no serious injuries among ground residents.

Local schools, Hancock and Miller Elementary, closed on May 22 but reopened the next day, providing a sense of normalcy for families. The San Diego Naval Base, led by Commander Capt. Robert Healy, prioritized the safety and support of displaced military families, offering temporary housing and resources. Mayor Todd Gloria praised the “extraordinary response effort” and emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting the affected military community, noting, “They are part of the military community that makes up our city.” Social media posts on X echoed the community’s grief and gratitude, with users like @fox5sandiego highlighting the mayor’s condolences and the responders’ heroism.

Official Statements: Investigations and Accountability

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation into the crash, with the NTSB taking the primary role. NTSB investigator Dan Baker confirmed the jet struck power lines before crashing and noted that the aircraft lacked a flight data recorder, though a cockpit voice recorder might be present, pending recovery. The FAA reported six passengers were on board, and initial statements clarified that the Montgomery-Gibbs control tower was closed during the early morning hours, a standard practice for small airports. Pilots relied on the common traffic advisory frequency, with the pilot announcing a standard approach three miles out, showing no distress signals, according to LiveATC.net recordings.

Official statements revealed critical operational issues. The Automated Surface Observing Station (ASOS) at Montgomery-Gibbs had been malfunctioning since May 20, forcing pilots to rely on weather data from nearby Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, which reported poor visibility and low cloud ceilings. The pilot, aware of the conditions, responded, “Alright, doesn’t sound great, but we’ll give it a go,” as captured in air traffic control audio. The runway’s lack of remote-controlled lighting further complicated the approach. San Diego city spokesperson Tara Lewis initially denied knowledge of ASOS outages but later clarified that the FAA, responsible for maintaining the system, had not notified the airport. The NTSB plans to release a preliminary report within two weeks and a final report in 12–18 months, with investigators from Williams International (engine manufacturer) and Textron (airframe manufacturer) assisting.

Safety Concerns: A Call for Reform

The crash has reignited concerns about aviation safety at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, a busy general aviation hub. The malfunctioning ASOS, which failed to provide real-time weather data, and the absence of runway lighting during overnight hours raise questions about infrastructure reliability. The dense fog, with visibility at half a mile, likely exacerbated the challenge of landing without precise altimeter settings. The NTSB is investigating whether an incorrect altimeter setting—potentially off by 0.03 inches of mercury, causing a 30-foot altitude error—contributed to the jet striking power lines at 400 feet elevation. Fatigue is also under scrutiny, given the pilot’s long overnight flight from Teterboro.

This incident echoes prior crashes at Montgomery-Gibbs, including a 1983 accident where a single-engine plane struck power lines, killing four, and a 2021 Cessna 340 crash that killed two. Community members, like David Rusk, who survived the 1983 crash as a child, expressed shock at the recurrence, calling the odds “mind-boggling.” The proximity of military housing to the airport, just one mile away, amplifies concerns about land-use planning and the risks of low-altitude approaches over residential areas. Posts on X, such as those from @XAnalyst2020, emphasized the role of dense fog and called for enhanced safety measures.

Moving Forward: Healing and Prevention

The Murphy Canyon crash is a stark reminder of the fragility of safety in aviation and urban planning. As the NTSB investigation unfolds, the community seeks answers on how to prevent future tragedies. Upgrading weather instrumentation, ensuring 24/7 control tower operations, and reevaluating flight paths near residential zones are critical steps. For now, the focus remains on supporting displaced families, rebuilding homes, and honoring the six lives lost. The resilience of San Diego’s military community, coupled with the dedication of first responders, offers hope amid grief.

If you find debris or smell jet fuel in the area, contact the San Diego Police at 619-531-2000. Stay tuned for NTSB updates as we learn more about this heartbreaking event.