SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A small plane crashed in San Diego's Murphy Canyon neighborhood, near Tierrasanta, early Thursday morning, prompting a major emergency response that included the evacuation of military housing residents.
The FAA says six people were on board the plane; ABC News was reporting as of 2:30 p.m. that they were all feared dead. According to a report from the Associated Press, three of the people on board were employees of the Sound Talent Group, including co-founder Dave Shapiro.
The San Diego Police Department says eight people on the ground were injured and around 100 residents were evacuated.
In a 1:30 p.m. press conference, the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that the traffic control tower at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport was closed at the time of the crash; however, the public affairs officer noted that a closure at that hour is fairly common at small airports like this.
WATCH: NTSB press conference providing latest details
The crash was initially reported just before 3:50 a.m. in the 10000 block of Sample Street, near Salmon Street and just west of the Admiral Baker Golf Course, the California Highway Patrol's incident log stated.
Elliott Simpson from the NTSB confirmed that the jet left from Teterboro, New Jersey, at 11:15 p.m. Eastern time and later stopped in Wichita, Kansas, for fuel before continuing on to San Diego.
In a news conference just after sunrise, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Assistant Chief Dan Eddy said they believe the plane -- identified as a Cessna 550 -- was likely on its way to Montgomery Field when it went down for unknown reasons.
Eddy acknowledged the foggy conditions in the area at the time, but he was unsure if weather played a role in the crash.
Eddy said at least 10 homes were affected by the crash, and he confirmed "there is a direct hit to multiple homes." Additionally, Eddy said jet fuel and subsequent fires destroyed every vehicle parked on the street.
On X Thursday morning, San Diego Police said that around 10 buildings were damaged and that the evacuations and road closures are still in place. NTSB responded to the scene. Authorities are asking you to call 619-531-2000 if you find debris or jet fuel.
When asked about injuries and deaths, Eddy stated multiple fatalities appeared to be from the plane. San Diego Police said one person was taken to the hospital, while two others were treated and released.
NTSB says it found fragments underneath power lines and a wing down on the road, while the remainder of the wreckage was on the street. During the 1:30 p.m. press conference, Simpson said it's too early to say if the jet hit the power line and if that's what caused the widespread damage.
He also said it was unclear how much fuel would have been in the jet's tank at the time of the crash.
WATCH: Family describes the harrowing moment the plane hit their home
According to Eddy, all fires that were linked to the crash were put out by 7:30 a.m.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said at least 50 officers assisted in the evacuation effort. According to the chief, about 100 people were displaced.
A Federal Aviation Administration official sent ABC 10News the following statement on the crash:
"A Cessna 550 crashed near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in California, around 3:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 22. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NSTB will lead the investigation and provide any updates."
NTSB confirmed the tail number of the plane was N666DS. Additionally, the agency said the jet likely has a flight data recorder, but investigators have not recovered one yet.
Simpson said the preliminary report on this crash will come out in two weeks. The next update from NTSB's investigation will come either later Thursday or Friday morning.
ABC 10News obtained audio from the flight recordings and weather tower at Montgomery-Gibbs.
The recording of the automated weather observation from the tower was missing crucial information, including sky conditions, visibility, wind and more. The flight recording then indicated the pilot asked how the conditions were at nearby Miramar Air Station, just a few miles away.
A commercial pilot we spoke to told us pilots sometimes do this in an effort to get a sense of how the weather is in the nearby area.
Miramar informed the pilot that the conditions were suboptimal there as well.
"All right. Doesn't sound great, but we'll give it a go," the pilot could be heard responding in the recording.
Eddy noted Salmon Street and Sample Street were the main roadways impacted by the crash. All streets south of Aero Drive were closed due to the emergency response, but by 1:15 p.m., SDPD said Taussig Street had reopened.
UPDATE:
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) May 22, 2025
Sculpin (Taussig to Salmon), NB Salmon (to cul-de-sac), & Salmon (3100 blk to Patriot) now open.
Still closed: Sample St (entire), Salmon (Sculpin to just S of Sample), Santo Rd (SB Aero–Corporal & both ways to dead end).
Closures expected overnight.
At 4:21 p.m., SDPD posted on X that all of Sculpin Street was reopened from Taussig to Salmon. Two portions of Salmon reopened: NB to the cul-de-sac and the 3100 block to Patriot.
All of Sample Street was still closed, as well as the stretch of Salmon from Sculpin to just south of Sample. Santo Road was also closed from SB Aero to Corporal and both ways to the dead end. SDPD says to expect these road closures overnight.
A hazardous materials crew was called to the scene due to jet fuel that was spilled. Police are asking any area residents to call 619-531-2000 if they smell jet fuel or locate any debris.
WATCH: A man wasted no time jumping into action to rescue his neighbors. See his firsthand account below.
According to Caltrans, the northbound Interstate 15 off-ramp to Aero Drive was shut down. The off-ramp was reopened by 8:30 a.m.
All southbound lanes of Santo Road were shut down at Aero Drive due to the emergency response.
ABC 10News learned Hancock Elementary School (3303 Taussig St.) was closed for the day.
U.S. Navy Captain Bob Healy emphasized during the 11 a.m. press conference that the military was working to provide lodging for the impacted families. He pointed out they "may be out of their homes for a while," and said the Navy would give intermittent housing in the meantime.
Liberty Military Housing says its team members were on the site immediately to help out the families needing a place to stay. The organization is also collecting clothing, non-perishable food, gift cards and more donations to help the affected families.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those on the plane who lost their lives in this incident," Liberty Military Housing says.
The Emergency Action Group, made up of military support organizations, told ABC 10News it received "an overwhelming amount" of clothes, food, diapers and blankets at Miller Elementary School for the 50 families in need following the crash.
A San Diego Unified School District spokesperson says Miller Elementary no longer serves as the evacuation site. Families are now being directed to Hancock Elementary School, located at 3303 Taussig St., if they need supplies or help until 9 p.m..
As of Thursday afternoon, the groups were no longer collecting supplies.
Now that the basic needs are covered, the organizations are collecting financial donations on their websites:
The San Diego Humane Society's emergency response team also responded to the scene and said that they have taken in 16 dogs, eight of them puppies, so far. SDHS said they provided the dogs "immediate medical exams" and started giving them baths as part of a "critical decontamination process."
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
