SAN DIEGO — A small civilian jet crashed into a military housing complex in Murphy Canyon during foggy weather early Thursday, setting homes on fire as well as dozens of vehicles, and forcing evacuations along several blocks.
Officials told reporters that multiple people who had been on the plane were killed, but no one on the ground was injured.
“On behalf of our city, I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of those aboard the plane,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria in a statement.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, San Diego Police Department, CalFire and military police for their swift, coordinated response that quickly evacuated residents, extinguished fires, and secured the area to ensure this tragedy was not compounded.
“San Diego will support the Navy as they assist the residents affected by this tragedy.”
The Cessna 550 jet crashed about 3:45 a.m. on approach to the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
“We have jet fuel all over the place,” Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said during a news conference.
He said there was “a direct hit to multiple homes” in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood and described “a gigantic debris field” in a dense, packed neighborhood.
Eddy said it was very foggy at the time the private plane crashed. “You could barely see in front of you,” he said.
“The number of people on board is unknown at this time,” the FAA said in a statement.
The plane can carry six to eight people. However, at least 10 people are suspected to have been on the Cessna, which was registered out of the Midwest.
Christopher Moore, who lives one street over from the crash site, said he and his wife were awakened by a loud bang and saw smoke when they looked out the window.
They grabbed their two young children and ran out of the house. On their way out of the neighborhood they saw a car engulfed in flames.
The northbound Interstate 15 off-ramp to Aero Drive was temporarily shut down, but has since reopened. All southbound lanes of the freeway near Santo Road were also temporarily closed, according to Caltrans.
The crash ignited large fire at a two-story house and damaged at least a dozen more homes. Over 100 firefighters converged on the area, and by 6:30 a.m. the fires had been extinguished,
A temporary evacuation center for neighborhood residents was set up at 4343 Shields St. at Miller Elementary School.
Both Hancock and Miller elementary schools will be closed Thursday. Child care for both schools will be provided at Miller Elementary.
The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation of the crash.
In October 2021, a twin-engine plane plowed into a San Diego suburb, killing the pilot and a UPS delivery driver on the ground and burning homes. It was preparing to land at at the airport.
Updated at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025. Associated Press, City News Service, and OnScene.TV contributed to this article.
