Small plane crashes into military housing neighborhood

San Diego, CA – A tragic plane crash in the early hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, has left multiple people dead after a private jet plummeted into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, igniting a massive fireball that engulfed homes and vehicles. Authorities have confirmed that all fatalities were passengers aboard the Cessna 550 Citation II, with no reported injuries on the ground despite significant property damage.

The crash occurred around 3:47 a.m. near the intersection of Sample and Salmon streets, close to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, during dense fog that officials say may have contributed to the incident. The plane, which had taken off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and stopped in Wichita, Kansas, was on its final approach when it struck a military housing community, one of the largest in the world. The impact sparked fires that damaged approximately 15 homes and numerous cars, forcing the evacuation of nearly 100 residents across several blocks.

“When it hit the street, the jet fuel went down, it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,” said San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy during a press conference. “You could barely see in front of you,” he added, describing the foggy conditions. Neighbors reported hearing a “loud boom” followed by shaking walls, with one local likening the fireball to “fireworks.” The San Diego Humane Society is assisting with pets affected by the crash, some reportedly exposed to jet fuel.

While the exact number of passengers remains unclear, the Cessna 550 can carry eight to ten people. Authorities have not released victim identities pending notification of families. One person was hospitalized, and two others were treated and released, according to the San Diego Police Department. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause, with Eddy noting that a possible collision with a power line is under scrutiny.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria pledged ongoing support for the affected military families, stating, “We will support them for as long as it takes to make sure that we get back to good here.” A temporary evacuation center has been established at Miller Elementary School to assist displaced residents. The scattered fires have been extinguished, but the scene remains a “gigantic debris field,” Eddy said.