SAN DIEGO, CA – A private plane crashed in the early hours of Thursday morning in a San Diego neighborhood, leaving multiple people dead and causing a huge fire that destroyed around 15 homes and several cars. The incident took place near the Murphy Canyon area, close to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
Authorities say the victims were onboard the aircraft, and no injuries have been reported among local residents.
What We Know So Far
The crash happened at approximately 3:45 a.m. Pacific Time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft model, which has the capacity to carry up to 10 people, was completely destroyed in the crash, but officials are still determining how many passengers were on board.
The San Diego Fire Department quickly responded, and Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy provided the following details during a press conference:
“There was jet fuel all over the place. It was a direct hit to multiple homes. The entire street was ablaze, with cars burning on both sides.”
Foggy Conditions May Have Played a Role
At the time of the crash, heavy fog was reported in the area. Assistant Chief Eddy said visibility was very low:
“You could barely see in front of you.”
Although it is too early to confirm the exact cause of the crash, poor visibility is being considered a possible factor.
Widespread Damage and Evacuations
The impact of the crash and the resulting jet fuel explosion led to fires that engulfed roughly 15 homes, destroyed several parked vehicles, and forced emergency evacuations of nearby residents across several blocks.
Authorities reported that the fire was intense and fast-spreading, but fire crews were able to prevent further damage and bring the blaze under control.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, with support from the FAA and local law enforcement.
Officials will look into factors such as:
- Weather conditions at the time of the crash
- Flight path and communication records
- Maintenance and service history of the aircraft
- Pilot information and qualifications
No identities have been released yet, and officials are working to contact the families of the victims.