- Private jet crashes at 3:45 AM near residential area
- Fire engulfs 15+ homes and multiple vehicles
- FAA confirms Cessna 550 en route from Wichita
- No immediate fatalities reported during evacuation efforts
A catastrophic aviation incident shook San Diego's Kearny Mesa district early Thursday when a twin-engine Cessna Citation II failed to reach Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport. First responders described scenes of unfolding chaosas the aircraft carved a fiery path through Sculpin Street, leaving structural damage comparable to tornado aftermath according to emergency crews.
Aviation safety experts suggest three critical factors in small aircraft crashes: 1) Mechanical failure rates increase by 18% in aging private jets 2) Pilot experience gaps account for 43% of general aviation accidents 3) Urban approach patterns require updated navigation protocols. This incident marks the fourth private plane crash within California airspace this quarter, raising questions about regional flight path management.
The 1982-model Cessna had completed 85% of its 1,200-mile journey from Wichita's Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport when radar contact ceased. Preliminary FAA data shows the jet descended 300 feet in its final 8 seconds - triple the standard approach rate. Structural engineers are examining whether residential development beneath flight paths increases ground collision risks.
San Diego's 2022 Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan shows 6,200 homes now sit within 2 miles of Montgomery Gibbs' runways, a 22% increase since 2015. This mirrors national trends where 73% of municipal airports now face residential encroachment challenges. Fire Chief Eddy confirmed crews used drone thermal imaging to search for victims in unstable structures, a technique developed after 2019's fatal Riverside helicopter crash.
While no casualties have been confirmed, trauma teams remain on standby. The NTSB has launched a 14-member investigative team, paralleling their response to February's fatal Simi Valley crash where 2 perished in similar residential impact. Aviation attorneys note such incidents typically trigger 18-24 month investigations before liability determinations.
Residents displaced by the crash are being housed temporarily at Kearny High School. Structural assessments continue, with early estimates suggesting $4.7M in property damage. The FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions within 5 nautical miles as recovery operations proceed.
