A private jet carrying six people hit a power line in foggy weather early Thursday and crashed into a San Diego neighborhood, slamming into a home and killing multiple people on the flight. Report says, one of the passengers was a music talent agent.
The residents in the neighborhood of US Navy-owned housing were shaken awake just before 4 am by the thunderous crash and subsequent explosions with the home engulfed in flames and jet fuel rolling down the streets igniting half a dozen vehicles. They saw a wall of fire out their windows.
The plane originated from a small New Jersey airport, at about 11:15 pm(EDT) Wednesday and made a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing on to San Diego.
What Did Police Say?
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said, "I can't quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see."
No one in the neighborhood died, but eight were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries that were not life-threatening, including a person who was hurt climbing out a window, police officer Anthony Carrasco told AP.
"We have jet fuel all over the place," Assistant San Diego Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said.
Eddy added that the fog was so thick in the morning that "you could barely see in front of you."
The plane was attempting to land in foggy weather
At that hour and in foggy weather, the plane was likely operating on an instrument flight rules plan, which is typically used during reduced visibility, said Barry Newman, a board-certified aviation attorney.
However, for that airport, once an aircraft reaches 673 feet (205 meters), the pilot also has to rely on sight.
"If a pilot descends to that level and he can't see the runway, he has to call for a missed approach or divert to another airport," Newman said.
Who Died?
Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two employees were among those killed, the music agency said in a statement.
Sound Talent Group has represented artists including American pop band Hanson, American singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and the Canadian rock group Sum 41. Hanson is perhaps best known for its earworm 1990s pop hit, "MMMBop." Shapiro also owned Velocity Records.
"We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy," the agency said.
Daniel Williams, former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada, posted on his Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro. The band posted a tribute to Williams on their Instagram page.
"No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever," the band wrote.
A representative for the band referred to their social post when asked about Williams' death.
Parts of Shapiro's 1985 Cessna 550 Citation littered a large area, including fragments under the power lines and a section of wing on a road behind the homes, said Elliot Simpson of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Six people were on board the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Authorities were still combing the scene and recovering the bodies before releasing an official number and identifying the dead, though there were not believed to be any survivors aboard the flight.
Neighborhood Hit Hard
The home that was struck was destroyed, with its front heavily burned and its roof partially collapsed, and about 10 others were damaged in Murphy Canyon, the largest neighborhood of Navy-owned housing in the country, officials said.
Ben McCarty and his wife, who live in the home that was hit, said they felt heat all around them.
"My wife was screaming, and she's like, 'There's a fire,'" McCarty, who has served in the Navy for 13 years, told local ABC affiliate KGTV.
When he walked toward the front of the house, he saw that the roof had fallen off and flames blocked their exit. They grabbed their children and dogs and ran to the back, where their neighbors helped them climb over the fence to escape.
The plane also hit both of the couple's vehicles, which burned.
"It put my truck into our living room," McCarty said.
Other vehicles along the block were melted and scorched into burned shells. One stubborn car fire sent smoke billowing up for hours.
At least 100 residents were evacuated. Hours after the crash, jet fuel rolled down Salmon Street. The smell of fumes lingered throughout the day, and officials said it was unclear when it would be safe for people to return.
In October 2021 a twin-engine plane plowed into a San Diego suburb, killing the pilot and a UPS delivery driver on the ground and burning homes. It was preparing to land at the airport.
And in December 2008, a Marine Corps fighter jet slammed into a house in San Diego's University City neighborhood, causing an explosion that killed four people inside. The Marine Corps blamed the crash on mechanical failure and human error.
(With AP Inputs)
