San Diego Plane Crash Update: 2 Dead, 8 Injured

Emergency crews were stunned by the aftermath of the May 22 Murphy Canyon crash: charred vehicle wreckage and jet debris strewn across a quiet San Diego street. Federal officials now confirm a 1985 Cessna 550 Citation (tail no. N666DS) with six people on board crashed around 3:45 a.m. during foggy conditions.

Updated reports show two passengers confirmed killed; the fate of the other four occupants is still under investigation. Police also confirm eight residents on the ground were injured—none seriously—and approximately 100 people were evacuated from nearby homes.

Casualties, Homes, and Survivors

• Onboard: Six people (including the pilot) were aboard; two are now confirmed dead.
• On the ground: Eight civilians sustained minor injuries from debris or fire.
• Evacuations: About 100 residents from military housing displaced.

Victims Identified (Music Industry Figures)

Among the six onboard, investigators confirmed that Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two of his agency colleagues were aboard. In an official statement, the music agency acknowledged their involvement and mourned their loss, noting that Shapiro was the owner of the jet. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to identify the remains.

Investigation Details and Causes

The NTSB and FAA are leading the probe. Flight tracking shows the jet departed Teterboro, NJ, late May 21, stopped for fuel in Wichita, KS, then headed to San Diego. Investigators note the plane was about to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it went down near Salmon Street. During a May 22 press briefing, NTSB revealed the jet’s wing clipped a power line just before impact. The control tower at Montgomery-Gibbs was closed at crash time (not unusual). Debris analysis and cockpit recorder data (a flight-data recorder is believed present) are ongoing. Investigators have recovered the tail number (N666DS) and say a preliminary report is due in about two weeks. They will determine whether technical issues or the foggy weather (the pilot even radioed about suboptimal conditions) played a role.

Community Response and Aftermath

Local officials sprang into action. Over 50 officers and firefighters evacuated Hancock and Miller Elementary campuses to shelter residents displaced by fire and fumes. Volunteers set up donation drives for evacuated families. By 7:30 a.m., all fires ignited by the crash were out. Roads around the scene (Santo, Sample, Salmon streets) remain closed for debris cleanup. Authorities have urged residents to report any spilled fuel or wreckage fragments for safety. The city has also mobilized mental health counselors for trauma support.

Key Updates & Corrections (Bullet Summary)

• Confirmed casualties: 2 of 6 onboard killed. (Originally it was reported “multiple fatalities on board,” implying all dead.)
• Ground injuries: 8 residents hurt (minor wounds). (This corrects earlier “none on ground injured” claims.)
• Property damage: 10 homes damaged.
• Flight data: Jet left NJ on May 21, refueled in Kansas, and was approaching Montgomery Field when it crashed.
• Aircraft ID: FAA/NTSB confirm it was a 1985 Cessna 550 Citation (tail N666DS).
• Investigation: NTSB found plane fragments under a snapped power line; a final cause will come after wreckage and recorder analysis (prelim report ~2 weeks).
• Evacuations: ~100 people evacuated immediately; schools in area will reopen once cleared.
• Community Aid: Shelters opened at nearby schools; donations of food, water and clothes are being collected.

Burned cars and debris line Salmon Street days after the crash. Police tape surrounds homes in this military housing area as investigators continue cleanup and spot checks.

Preparation for disasters can make a difference. Want to understand how to react if the unexpected happens? Check out Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life by Neil Strauss, a survival guide for crises. For flight-specific safety, the classic Just in Case: A Passenger’s Guide to Airplane Safety and Survival offers practical tips on what passengers should do during an in-air or on-ground emergency.