A Tragic Start to the Day in San Diego

Early on a Thursday morning, a private jet crashed into a residential area in San Diego. The plane, a Cessna Citation II, had been traveling from New Jersey. It made a stop in Kansas to refuel before heading to San Diego. The jet clipped power lines before hitting a house in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood. This area is the largest neighborhood of Navy-owned housing in the country. The plane was owned by a company based in Alaska. The owner of the plane was Dave Shapiro. He was also the co-founder of a music talent agency. Shapiro was a licensed pilot and owned a flight school and a record label. The music agency, Sound Talent Group, confirmed that Shapiro and two other employees were on the plane. They were all killed in the crash. The agency did not release the names of the other two employees. The total number of fatalities is still unknown. The crash caused significant damage. At least one home was destroyed, and about 10 others were damaged. Several vehicles were melted and scorched. The crash also ignited a fire that spread quickly. Many residents had to evacuate their homes. Some people were injured while trying to escape the flames. Others were treated for smoke inhalation. The weather at the time of the crash was foggy. This reduced visibility, which may have contributed to the accident. The plane was likely operating on an instrument flight rules plan. This plan is typically used during reduced visibility. However, once the aircraft reaches a certain altitude, the pilot has to rely on sight. If the pilot cannot see the runway, they must call for a missed approach or divert to another airport. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash. The FAA will assist in the investigation. This is not the first time a plane has crashed in the San Diego area. In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed into a San Diego suburb. It killed the pilot and a UPS delivery driver on the ground. It also burned homes. In December 2008, a U. S. Marine Corps fighter jet crashed into a house in San Diego's University City neighborhood. It killed four people inside. The crash had a significant impact on the community. Residents were evacuated, and some were injured. The smell of jet fuel lingered in the air for hours. The scene was described as horrific. The crash serves as a reminder of the dangers of flying in poor weather conditions. It also highlights the importance of proper pilot training and safety procedures.