- Private jet crashes into San Diego's largest Navy housing complex during dense fog
- Three fatalities include music industry executive and two employees
- Crash follows power line collision, igniting vehicles and homes
- Over 100 residents evacuated amid jet fuel hazards
- Third major aviation incident in San Diego County since 2008
Emergency responders faced near-zero visibility early Thursday as a Cessna Citation II jet plunged into Murphy Canyon, the nation's largest military family housing community. The aircraft struck power lines during its final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, careening into residential streets where it destroyed one home and damaged ten others. San Diego Fire Department crews battled multiple vehicle fires fueled by ruptured jet fuel tanks, with toxic fumes lingering for hours after impact.
Aviation records reveal the ill-fated flight originated in New Jersey with a scheduled fuel stop in Wichita before its California destination. Industry analysts note this route crosses multiple climate zones, creating navigation challenges. Coastal fog patterns near military installations require specialized instrumentation,explains FAA safety consultant Mara Whitcomb. Many private jets lack the terrain awareness systems mandated for commercial carriers.
The crash marks San Diego's third major residential aviation disaster in 16 years, renewing calls for updated flight path regulations. In 2021, a twin-engine plane collision killed two near Montgomery-Gibbs, while a 2008 Marine Corps jet failure caused four civilian deaths. Naval Base San Diego has since implemented emergency housing protocols, including real-time aircraft tracking shared with municipal fire departments.
Sound Talent Group confirmed the loss of co-founder Dave Shapiro, a licensed pilot and aviation entrepreneur. His Velocity Aviation school trained over 400 pilots since 2018, emphasizing instrument flight rules for low-visibility conditions. The NTSB investigation will examine maintenance records from Shapiro's Wichita fueling stop and potential mechanical issues with the 1982-model aircraft.
Resident Christopher Moore described chaos as flaming debris rained on parked cars. The fuel smell hit instantly - we grabbed our kids and ran barefoot through burning grass,he recounted. First responders rescued three husky puppies from a smoke-filled garage, underscoring the disaster's emotional toll on military families.
Aviation attorneys predict wrongful death lawsuits could surpass $50 million given the military housing location. When crashes occur on federal property, liability becomes exponentially complex,notes aerospace lawyer Darren Cole. The NTSB's preliminary report, expected within 90 days, will determine if fog, mechanical failure, or pilot error caused the tragedy.