Federal investigators have confirmed that the business jet that crashed in a Navy-owned San Diego neighborhood early Thursday struck high-tension power lines while attempting to land, sparking a deadly inferno that destroyed homes and vehicles.
According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Cessna 550 Citation was on final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it collided with power lines shortly before 3:45 a.m., causing the aircraft to plummet into the Murphy Canyon community. All six people on board were killed in the crash, NTSB investigator Dan Baker announced during a press briefing on Friday.
While local authorities have not yet officially identified the victims, Fox News Digital reported that Dave Shapiro, a prominent rock music executive and founder of Sound Talent Group, and drummer Daniel Williams, best known for his work with the band The Devil Wears Prada, were among the deceased.
Jet Departed from New Jersey, Made Stop in Kansas
The private jet departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, made a scheduled stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was en route to San Diego when the tragedy occurred. The NTSB San Diego crash report notes that the pilot did not issue any distress call or report mechanical trouble prior to impact.
Investigators also revealed that the automated surface observing system (ASOS), which typically provides real-time weather data to pilots, was inoperative at Montgomery-Gibbs Airport due to an unrelated power surge. As a result, the pilot was briefed on weather conditions from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, located just four miles away. Visibility at the time was half a mile, with a low 200-foot ceiling—conditions considered extremely challenging for visual landings.
Runway Lighting Systems Were Down
Further complicating the final approach, several NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) were in effect, indicating that both the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and the runway alignment indicator lights (RAIL) were out of service, removing key visual guidance systems during landing.
While the jet was not equipped with a flight data recorder, investigators believe a cockpit voice recorder may have been installed. Recovery of the wreckage and the aircraft’s components began Friday afternoon as part of the on-scene phase of the investigation.
“We’re now shifting our focus to pilot training, flight history, and aircraft maintenance records,” said Baker. “We’ll also be examining environmental factors and air traffic control communications that could have played a role.”
FAA Records Show Plane Owned by Shapiro
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records confirm that the aircraft was registered to Dave Shapiro, who held a valid pilot’s license. However, it remains unclear if he was piloting the jet at the time of the crash.
On the ground, the crash unleashed a fiery explosion that destroyed more than a dozen homes and vehicles, displacing approximately 100 residents in the Liberty Military Housing complex. Thanks to the swift action of neighbors—many of whom are active-duty military personnel—only eight people sustained minor injuries.
Emergency housing and relief services are being provided by the American Red Cross and Liberty Military Housing as the community begins recovery efforts.
The FAA, Textron Aviation, Williams International Engines, and multiple NTSB specialists—including air traffic and weather experts—are continuing to assist in the probe remotely.
As the investigation unfolds, the San Diego aviation accident has raised urgent questions about airport infrastructure, night-time flight safety, and weather reporting system reliability.
