Small Plane Crashes in San Diego, Homes Damaged, People Injured

A small private jet crashed in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego early in the morning on May 22, 2025, during thick fog. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II, was carrying six people, including Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two of his colleagues. The flight had started in Teterboro, New Jersey, made a stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was on its way to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego. Around 3:45 a.m., while trying to land, the plane hit power lines about two miles from the airport and crashed into a residential area. The crash caused large fires that damaged at least 15 houses and several cars. One home was completely destroyed, and about 100 residents had to be evacuated from the area. Eight people on the ground were treated for minor injuries, such as breathing problems from smoke. Emergency teams described the area as a “huge debris field,” with jet fuel spilled across the neighborhood. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest the thick fog and low visibility likely played a role. This has become one of the most serious plane accidents in San Diego in recent years and raises concerns about flying in bad weather.