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Small Jet Crashes in San Diego Neighborhood – Multiple Fatalities Reported
Small Jet Crashes in San Diego Neighborhood – Multiple Fatalities Reported
A tragic incident unfolded early Thursday morning when a small private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, California , killing all passengers onboard and causing significant damage to homes and vehicles.
📍 Crash Location & Time
The crash occurred just before 4 a.m. local time in the Murphy Canyon area near the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego. According to authorities, the aircraft struck multiple homes shortly after attempting to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport , located about 10 kilometers north of downtown.
✈️ Aircraft Details
The aircraft involved was identified as a Cessna Citation jet (model Cessna 550) , which typically has the capacity to carry between 8 to 10 people , including the pilot. The jet had departed from Teterboro, New Jersey , with a stopover in Wichita, Kansas , before heading toward San Diego.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware confirms the route taken by the aircraft before the crash.
💥 Impact on the Ground
Emergency services responded immediately following the crash. Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy described the scene as chaotic, noting that there was “jet fuel all over the place” and calling the area a “gigantic debris field.”
Several homes were destroyed or caught fire.
Cars were engulfed in flames , littering the street.
Approximately 100 residents were evacuated from nearby areas.
No serious injuries were reported among residents , though one person was hospitalized and two others were treated and released.
Local resident Christopher Moore told the Associated Press that he and his wife were awakened by a loud bang. They saw smoke and quickly fled their home with their children. Another resident, Cynthia Schmitz , a Navy officer, described hearing a “loud engine screeching noise” followed by a “boom,” after which the sky lit up.
👤 Passenger Information
As of now, authorities have not released the identities of those aboard the aircraft. However, they confirmed that there were multiple fatalities , all among the passengers and crew on the plane.
🔍 Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet disclosed any preliminary findings.
This is not the first such incident in the area — in October 2021, another small plane crashed while en route to the same airport, killing two people.
🚒 Emergency Response
Firefighters worked tirelessly in the hours following the crash to contain fires and ensure safety. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “horrific,” emphasizing the intensity of the blaze fueled by spilled jet fuel.
🌐 Community Reactions
Residents expressed shock and disbelief at the event. Many said they often hear planes flying overhead, but this sound was different — a sudden, sharp boom followed by chaos.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety,” Moore said.
📰 Ongoing Coverage
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available from official sources.
📊 Summary of Key Points
- Date of Crash : May 22, 2025
- Location : Murphy Canyon / Tierrasanta, San Diego
- Aircraft Type : Cessna Citation 550 Jet
- Casualties : Multiple fatalities onboard; no serious injuries on ground
- Evacuations : Around 100 residents
- Damage : Destroyed homes, burning vehicles
- Investigation Agency : FAA and NTSB
