Context:

A small jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, resulting in the deaths of six people on board and injuring eight others on the ground, while also damaging ten homes. The crash occurred early Thursday morning in dense fog conditions, with the plane attempting to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Among the deceased were Dave Shapiro, a music agent, and Daniel Williams, a former drummer of the band the Devil Wears Prada. The crash prompted the evacuation of about 100 residents, but thankfully there were no fatalities among the evacuated individuals. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause, with initial reports indicating poor visibility and an inoperative weather update system at the airport as contributing factors.

Dive Deeper:

• The Cessna Citation jet crashed in Murphy Canyon near the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego just before 4 a.m., under dense fog conditions that severely limited visibility. The crash caused significant damage, including fires that spread to cars and homes, leading to the evacuation of about 100 residents.

• Dave Shapiro, a veteran music agent and pilot who co-founded Sound Talent Group, was among those killed in the crash. Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the band the Devil Wears Prada, was also feared dead; he had shared images of the plane on social media before the flight.

• The crash site was described as horrific, with jet fuel flowing down the streets and everything on fire, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. Emergency responders arrived to find cars, lawns, and several homes ablaze, but fortunately, there were no serious injuries among the neighborhood residents.

• The pilot, before the crash, communicated with air traffic control about the poor visibility conditions at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, noting that weather updates were unavailable due to an inoperative system. Despite being informed of the low visibility, the pilot decided to proceed with the landing attempt.

• The residential area affected by the crash is home to many military families, and the community quickly rallied to support one another during the evacuation. Neighbors helped each other evacuate and ensured their safety, leading to a sense of unity despite the devastation.

• The plane had departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a layover in Wichita, Kansas, before heading to San Diego. It was owned by Daviator, a company registered in Alaska and classified as a fractional ownership business, allowing individuals to purchase shares in a private plane.

• Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, with initial focus on the dense fog and compromised airport weather systems. The incident underscores the critical importance of reliable weather information and communication between pilots and air traffic control.