A quiet San Diego neighborhood was rocked before dawn on Thursday when a private jet crashed into a residential area, killing two people and forcing over 100 residents to evacuate. The San Diego plane crash sent shockwaves through the region, as first responders worked swiftly to contain fires and assist the injured in the heart of the nation’s largest military housing community.
Crash Site Chaos and Immediate Response
Shortly after 3:30 a.m., residents were jolted awake by a deafening explosion. Authorities said the plane went down just two miles from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, igniting vehicles and damaging multiple homes. In the chaos, emergency services established a temporary evacuation center at a local elementary school, where displaced families gathered in shock.
“The smell of jet fuel was overwhelming,” said one eyewitness. “Everything was in flames all at once.”
Black smoke clouded the sky hours after the crash. Firefighters battled smoldering homes and a stubborn car fire that resisted initial containment efforts. Charred vehicles, shattered glass, and twisted metal littered the streets as investigators combed the area for clues.
Flight Details and Ownership
According to federal aviation records, the aircraft, a Cessna Citation II jet, was owned by Daviation LLC, an Alaska-based company with ties to San Diego. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows the plane departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday night and stopped for fuel in Wichita, Kansas, before its final leg to San Diego.
The San Diego plane crash occurred during its final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs airport, a journey that ended tragically amid thick fog and low visibility. While the aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 10 passengers, it remains unclear how many were onboard when the incident occurred. Authorities have confirmed two fatalities.
Injuries and Hospitalizations
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy reported multiple injuries, including one person hospitalized after escaping a burning home through a window. Five members of a single family were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, while two others received treatment on-site for minor injuries.
The San Diego plane crash has left residents reeling, many of whom described narrowly escaping their homes as fire consumed cars and debris rained down. One local father recounted grabbing his three young sons and fleeing after hearing a massive blast. “We didn’t stop to think,” he said. “We just ran.”
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation. While the exact cause of the San Diego plane crash has not yet been determined, officials are exploring the possibility that the plane clipped a power line during descent. Poor visibility caused by dense fog may have played a significant role.
Eddy noted that conditions were “incredibly difficult” that morning. “You could barely see in front of you,” he said at a press briefing.
FlightAware listed the jet’s arrival time as 3:47 a.m. Thursday. Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, a general aviation hub in San Diego, serves a range of private and corporate flights.
Community in Shock
Residents and military families are grappling with the emotional toll. Christopher Moore, who lives one block from the crash site, described the surreal scene: “It sounded like the sky exploded. I looked out and saw flames and smoke rising above the rooftops.”
As authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the San Diego plane crash, the neighborhood remains cordoned off. Utility crews are repairing power lines, while investigators search for the aircraft’s flight recorder to determine what went wrong.
Unanswered Questions
- Who was on board? As of now, officials have not released any names or confirmed the total number of passengers.
- What caused the crash? Investigators are reviewing flight data and analyzing debris for signs of mechanical failure or pilot error.
- Was the weather a factor? Fog was present at the time of the crash, but officials have not confirmed if it directly contributed.
A Community United
Despite the devastation, stories of bravery and neighborly compassion have emerged. From families helping each other evacuate to first responders risking their lives to save others, the aftermath of the San Diego plane crash has revealed the strength of a tightly knit community.
As the NTSB continues its inquiry, San Diego residents are left grappling with the impact of a tragedy that landed quite literally in their backyard.