San Diego plane crash sets 15 homes ablaze, kills music talent agent

A small aircraft crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, under heavy fog, igniting fires in approximately 15 homes and multiple vehicles.

This was disclosed by local authorities.

The incident also triggered evacuations across several city blocks as emergency crews rushed to manage the unfolding disaster.

During a press briefing, Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy described the dire conditions at the crash site, emphasizing the widespread presence of jet fuel.

“We have jet fuel all over the place,” Eddy stated, highlighting the dangers emergency responders faced.

He stressed that the top priority was to conduct thorough searches of affected homes and ensure all residents were safely evacuated.

“Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now,” he said.

Eddy further reported that the plane had made a “direct hit to multiple homes” within the densely populated Murphy Canyon neighborhood.

The area, he noted, contains a large number of residences and is home to many military families.

He described the aftermath as a “gigantic debris field,” adding to the challenge of rescue and containment efforts in the closely packed community.

At the time of the press conference, authorities had not confirmed whether there were any injuries or fatalities resulting from the crash.

Christopher Moore, a local resident who lives just one street away from where the aircraft went down, recounted his experience.

Moore said he and his wife were jolted awake by a loud explosion. Upon looking outside, they saw smoke rising in the distance.

Acting quickly, they gathered their two young children and evacuated their home.

“It was definitely horrifying for sure,” Moore said, reflecting on the fear and urgency of the moment.

“But sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety.”

On their way out of the neighborhood, Moore reported seeing a car completely engulfed in flames.

Eddy confirmed that dense fog significantly contributed to the hazardous conditions at the time of the crash.

“You could barely see in front of you,” he explained, suggesting the poor visibility may have played a role in the aircraft’s inability to land safely.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

The aircraft involved was identified as a Cessna 550, a small jet that typically carries between six to eight passengers.

In a statement released later on Thursday, the FAA noted that the number of people onboard the plane had not yet been determined.

The agency added that the investigation into the crash would be led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is standard protocol for aviation accidents of this nature.

This tragic event is not the first plane crash to occur in the San Diego area in recent years.

In October 2021, a twin-engine aircraft crashed into a suburban neighborhood near the same airport.

That incident resulted in the deaths of both the pilot and a UPS delivery driver who was on the ground at the time.

Several homes were also destroyed in the blaze that followed.

Like Thursday’s crash, the 2021 accident happened as the aircraft was approaching the airport for landing.

As the investigation into Thursday’s crash unfolds, local residents and officials alike are left grappling with the immediate aftermath and the potential implications for flight safety in the region.

While the full circumstances remain unclear, the combination of foggy weather, a densely populated crash zone, and the lingering memory of the 2021 incident has heightened concerns among community members.

Emergency personnel are expected to remain on the scene for an extended period as they continue search-and-rescue operations, assess the extent of the property damage, and coordinate with federal investigators.

In the meantime, residents displaced by the fires are being directed to temporary shelters as the city begins its response and recovery efforts.

No fatalities occurred among the neighborhood residents.

However, eight individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and non-life-threatening injuries, according to police officer Anthony Carrasco.

One of those injured sustained harm while attempting to escape through a window.

Among the deceased were Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two of the company’s employees, the music agency confirmed in a statement.

Sound Talent Group is known for representing a range of artists.

The artists include the American pop band Hanson, singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton, and Canadian rock group Sum 41.

Hanson rose to fame in the 1990s with their widely recognized hit, “MMMBop.” Shapiro was also the owner of Velocity Records.

Daniel Williams, former drummer for the metal band The Devil Wears Prada, shared on Instagram Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the same flight as Dave Shapiro.

Following the tragic news, the band posted a heartfelt tribute to Williams on their own Instagram account.

“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band wrote in their message.

When asked for comment regarding Williams’ death, a representative for the band referred to the tribute shared on social media.

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