SAN DIEGO (AP) – A private jet carrying music talent agents and five other five people slammed power lines in foggy weather early Thursday, crashing into a San Diego neighborhood, hitting a home and killing multiple people while flying.
As the house rolled down the city, wrapped in flames and jet fuel, half a dozen vehicles caught fire, and residents near the US Navy-owned home were woken up by a violent crash just before 4am and a subsequent explosion. Outside their window they saw the fire wall.
“There's absolutely no word to describe what the scene looks like, but it was pretty scary to watch as jet fuel went down the street and everything was on fire at once,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
No one in the neighborhood had died, but eight people were taken to hospital, including those who were injured by climbing through the window due to smoke inhalation and uninjured injuries, said officer Anthony Carrasco.
The music agency said in a statement that Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two employees, were among the employees who were killed. Sound Talent Group represents artists such as American pop band Hanson, American singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and Canadian Rock Group Sum 41. Hanson is probably best known for his 1990s pop hit “Mmmbop.” Shapiro also owned Velocity Records.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founders, colleagues and friends. Our hearts are directed at our families and everyone affected by today's tragedy,” the agency said.
Six people were on the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities still had coagulated the scene and recovered the bodies before releasing official numbers and identifying the deaths, but were not considered survivors on the flight.
Daniel Williams, former drummer of metal band The Devil Wears Prada, posted on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was on a plane with Shapiro. The band posted a homage to Williams on their Instagram page.
“There are no words. We owe you everything. We love you forever,” the band wrote.
When asked about Williams' death, representatives mentioned their social post.
Some of Shapiro's 1985 Cessna 550 quotes were scattered across a wide area, including fragments under the power line and parts of the road wings behind the house, said Elliot Simpson of the National Road Safety Commission.
The neighborhood collided violently
The attacked home was destroyed, its front was severely burned, the roof partially collapsed, and about 10 people were damaged in Murphy Canyon, the largest area of naval-owned homes in the country, officials said.
Ben McCarty and his wife, who live in the attacked house, said they felt a fever around them.
“My wife is screaming, and she's like, 'There's a fire,'” McCarty, who has been with the Navy for 13 years, told local ABC affiliate KGTV.
As he walked towards the front of the house he saw the roof fell and flames blocked their exit. They grabbed the child and dog, ran backwards, where they helped their neighbors climb through the fence to escape.
The plane also collided with both the couple's vehicles and burned.
“It put my truck in our living room,” McCarty said.
Other vehicles along the block were melted and burnt into burning shells. The stubborn car fire swirled smoke for hours.
Ariya Waterworth said she saw a giant fireball outside after awakening to “Hooshing Sound.” When the firefighters arrived, she cried out for help and helped her come out with her two children and their family's dogs.
One of the family's cars was “completely collapsed” and the other car caused great damage. Her garden was littered with plane parts, broken glass and shards.
“We are definitely blessed because we have escaped,” she said.
At least 100 residents have been evacuated. Hours after the crash, the jet fuel tumbled down Salmon Street. The smell of smoke remains throughout the day, and officials said it is unclear when people will return when it is safe.
“There's jet fuel everywhere,” said San Diego Fire Department assistant Dan Eddie.
Eddie added that the fog was so thick in the morning that he “looks almost unseen in front of him.”
The plane was born from a small nephew
W Jersey Airport
The flight departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, near Manhattan, around 11:15pm on Wednesday and stopped fuel in Wichita, Kansas, Simpson said.
Based on the flight route, Simpson said he headed to Montgomery Gibbs' executive airport when he struck a power line about two miles (3.2 km) southeast of the airfield.
Audio recorded by www.liveatc.net includes a simple transmission from the pilot, said it was about three miles (4.8 km) at 3:45am.
NTSB investigators were planning to spend time at the scene where evidence was collected on Thursday and Friday, Simpson said. He welcomed videos and other details from witnesses.
The plane was trying to
o Landing in foggy weather
With that time and foggy weather, the plane is likely to be operating on the instrument flight rules plan, which is normally used during reduced visibility, said Barry Newman, a board-certified aviation lawyer.
However, at that airport, once the aircraft reaches 673 feet (205 meters), the pilot must also rely on his visibility.
“If a pilot can't get down to that level and see the runway, he's going to have to call for an approach he missed or divert it to another airport,” Newman said.
In October 2021, twin engine planes tilled the outskirts of San Diego, killing pilots and UPS delivery drivers on the ground, and burning homes. I was preparing to land at the airport.
Then in December 2008, a Marine fighter plane crashed into a home in the University City area of San Diego, causing an explosion, killing four people inside. The Marines condemned mechanical failures and crashing of human error.
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Javier Arciga of Associated Press journalist San Diego. Christopher Weber and Jamie Dinn of Los Angeles. Kathy McCormack of Concord, New Hampshire. Mary Claredale, Philadelphia. Josh Funk of Omaha, Nebraska contributed.
