At least 3 dead after jet crashes into US military neighbourhood in San Diego

A small private jet crashed into a military housing area near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego early on May 22, killing at least three people on board and setting fire to multiple homes and vehicles.

The victims included three employees of music talent agency Sound Talent Group, the company confirmed, naming co-founder Dave Shapiro among the dead, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” the company said. Authorities have not released the names of the other victims.

The Cessna 550 was carrying six people when it crashed at approximately 3:45 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and stopped in Wichita, Kansas, to refuel before heading to San Diego, said National Transportation Safety Board investigator Eliott Simpson.

The aircraft struck a power line roughly 4 kilometres from the airport before crashing into a house, Simpson said. “Fragments of the Cessna were found there, while a wing and the remainder of the wreckage were found at the crash site,” he added. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Assistant Chief Dan Eddy described the aftermath as “something from a movie.” All fatalities were on board, he confirmed.

The crash ignited fires across the neighbourhood, spilling jet fuel across the area and prompting hazmat crews to respond. “We have jet fuel all over the place,” Eddy said. “We’ve asked for more resources to come for that.”

At least one home was destroyed, and several cars were burned. The affected homes are military housing units, and families have been evacuated. “They may be out of their homes for a while,” said U.S. Navy Captain Robert Healy, who promised the Navy would provide temporary housing if needed.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl called the scene “pretty horrific,” adding: “Jet fuel going down the street and everything on fire all at once.”

Two local elementary schools were closed for the day. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria praised emergency crews: “Every San Diegan expresses our appreciation to these heroes who got the job done this morning.”

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

By Aghakazim Guliyev