Private Plane Crashes Into San Diego Military Housing Neighborhood, Multiple Dead

SAN DIEGO — A private jet crashed into a military housing neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday morning, killing multiple people on board but sparing residents on the ground from injury, authorities confirmed.

Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Dan Eddy stated at a news conference that while the exact number of passengers aboard remains unknown, the aircraft could hold between eight to ten people. No injuries were reported among residents of the affected neighborhood, despite the plane crashing into homes and vehicles around 4 a.m.

The crash occurred in the U.S. military’s largest housing neighborhood. Authorities reported that about ten homes were damaged, one of which had a charred and collapsed roof. Half a dozen vehicles were destroyed by fire, although no hospitalizations were necessary for individuals inside the homes.

The aircraft was reportedly en route from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego. Flight tracking data from Flight Aware lists the plane as a Cessna Citation II, scheduled to land at 3:47 a.m.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “horrific,” with jet fuel flooding the street and multiple fires igniting simultaneously. Black smoke and the smell of fuel lingered for hours as emergency personnel worked to extinguish flames, including a persistent car fire.

Debris, including tree limbs, shattered glass, and twisted metal, was scattered across the neighborhood. Nearby resident Christopher Moore recounted being awakened by a loud bang and smoke. He and his family evacuated with their children, witnessing a vehicle engulfed in flames as they fled.

Three husky puppies were rescued by police from one of the homes and transported away from the site in a wagon. Displaced families gathered a few blocks away in their pajamas, awaiting updates on when they could safely return home.

The area surrounding the crash includes Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, and Gillespie Field. Eddy noted that thick fog was present at the time of the crash, significantly reducing visibility.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash.

This incident follows several tragic aircraft accidents in the San Diego area. In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed into a suburban neighborhood, killing the pilot and a UPS driver. In December 2008, a Marine Corps fighter jet crash killed four people in University City, with mechanical failure and human error cited as causes.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Thursday’s crash.