Three members of a prominent music talent agency are among six people presumed dead after a private jet crashed into a military housing neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday, according to statements from the agency and local authorities.
The crash occurred just before 4 a.m. in Murphy Canyon, the largest U.S. Navy-owned housing community in the country.
The Cessna 550 Citation jet struck power lines and slammed into a home, triggering explosions and sending jet fuel streaming down the street. The fuel ignited at least six vehicles and damaged about ten homes, Assistant San Diego Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said at a news conference.
Visibility was severely limited due to thick fog, Eddy said. “You could barely see in front of you” at the time of the crash.
Six people were on board the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities are continuing their investigation before releasing more details, though no survivors are believed to have been on board.
“I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.
Dave Shapiro, cofounder of Sound Talent Group, and two of his colleagues were among those killed, the agency confirmed in a statement.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy,” Sound Talent Group said. The agency, which represents artists such as Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41, also added that Shapiro is the owner of Velocity Records.
The crash destroyed at least one home, severely burning its front and partially collapsing its roof, while other homes and vehicles were also badly damaged.
No residents in the neighborhood were killed, but eight people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening injuries, including one person who was hurt while escaping through a window, according to San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco.
More than 100 residents were evacuated to a nearby elementary school, and the smell of jet fuel lingered in the air for hours after the crash as firefighters battled car fires.
The jet departed Teterboro, New Jersey, near Manhattan, at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. It made a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was on its final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it crashed about two miles from the runway, according to NTSB investigator Elliot Simpson.
Residents described escaping from their homes.
Christopher Moore, a retired sailor, said he and his wife grabbed their three young sons and ran from their house after being awakened by a loud bang and seeing flames outside.
“It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety,” Moore said.
Ariya Waterworth said she woke to a “whooshing sound” and then saw a giant fireball outside. Firefighters helped her evacuate with her children and dog.
