Fatal Plane Crash Ignites San Diego Neighborhood, Multiple Onboard Confirmed Dead
A private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon area early Thursday morning, killing multiple people onboard and igniting a string of fires that damaged at least 15 homes and vehicles. Authorities are continuing their response and investigation at the scene.
The aircraft, a Cessna 550, went down around 3:45 a.m. local time, crashing just blocks from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation.
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy confirmed that no fatalities or injuries have been reported on the ground, but said several people onboard the plane were killed. The exact number of passengers has not yet been confirmed, though the aircraft is typically configured to carry between six and eight people.
“When it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down, it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,” Eddy said. “You can see that every single car was burning down both sides of the street.”
Witnesses reported being jolted awake by a massive explosion and saw flames and debris spreading rapidly. Christopher Moore, a nearby resident, described a harrowing evacuation with his wife and two children. “It was definitely horrifying,” Moore said, “but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety.”
Foggy conditions at the time of the crash are being considered a factor. “You could barely see in front of you,” Eddy noted.
The crash caused a significant fuel spill and fire damage to nearby homes and vehicles. Responders are currently conducting thorough searches of affected properties. Video and images from the scene show collapsed roofs, burned-out vehicles, and widespread debris including aircraft parts, glass, and tree branches scattered across the road.
In one uplifting moment amid the tragedy, police rescued three husky puppies from one of the damaged homes, placing them safely into a wagon.
The area surrounding the crash site includes many military families and is in close proximity to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Gillespie Field, making it a corridor for both civilian and military aircraft.
Thursday’s crash is a painful reminder of past aviation tragedies in the San Diego area, including a 2021 plane crash in Santee that killed the pilot and a UPS driver, and a 2008 Marine Corps jet crash that took the lives of four civilians.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as cleanup and investigations continue. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.