A devastating plane crash in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood has claimed the lives of all six people aboard, including renowned music executive Dave Shapiro, officials confirmed.
The Cessna 550 Citation went down just before 4 a.m., approximately two miles from its intended destination, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
The tragedy occurred amid dense fog that severely hampered visibility, complicating the pilot’s efforts to land safely. Audio recordings from air traffic control captured the pilot’s cautious assessment: “Doesn’t sound great, but we’ll give it a go.”
During descent, the aircraft clipped a power line, sparking fires that damaged multiple homes and vehicles and jolted the neighborhood awake in the pre-dawn hours. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported among residents, although emergency responders treated eight people for minor injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed all six onboard perished, including Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and his colleagues Emma Huke and Celina Kenyon. The company expressed profound sorrow, highlighting Shapiro’s pivotal role in managing acts such as Hanson and Sum 41.
Among the victims were also software engineer Dominic Damian and Daniel Williams, former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, who was mourned by his bandmates.
Celina Kenyon, a professional photographer and devoted mother, had chosen to fly home early with friends to care for her daughter, according to family sources.
The aftermath left debris scattered across at least ten homes, with streets littered by wreckage and spilled jet fuel. The NTSB noted the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder and is investigating whether a cockpit voice recorder was onboard.
Further complicating the situation, critical airport systems—including runway approach lights and automated weather reporting—were reportedly malfunctioning at the time, adding to the pilot’s challenges.
The NTSB’s investigation remains ongoing, with a comprehensive report expected in the coming weeks as authorities work to determine the precise cause of this tragic incident.
