Several people are feared dead after a small aircraft crashed into a residential area in San Diego, California, early Thursday, sparking a massive blaze that engulfed homes and vehicles.
The Cessna 550, which had departed from Kansas, went down around 3:45 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The crash occurred in thick fog, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy confirmed multiple fatalities, though the exact number remains unclear. Authorities are working to confirm how many people were aboard the aircraft.
“When it hit the street, jet fuel spilled and ignited, destroying every car on both sides of the road,” said Eddy. “We have jet fuel everywhere.” At least 10 homes were either burned or struck by debris from the crash, and numerous vehicles were consumed by flames.
Dramatic footage captured the aftermath, with fire linking several burning cars along the street. One local resident described fleeing in terror as flames erupted outside his home. “I looked out the window, and there were just flames everywhere,” he told a local TV station. “Then we heard a chain reaction of explosions—boom, boom, boom. I thought, ‘Whoa.’”
Remarkably, officials say no one on the ground was killed or seriously injured, calling it a “miracle” given the extent of the damage. Photos taken after sunrise showed charred vehicles, blackened rooftops, and scorched trees. The acrid smell of jet fuel lingered for hours as emergency crews scoured the area for evidence.
High school student Zane Baker, who lives in the neighborhood, said police went door-to-door evacuating residents. “I rushed to check on my siblings. We made sure everyone was okay,” said Baker, whose family is part of the military community. “Now people are just standing around, not sure what to do. The roads are blocked, and no one can get in or out.”
Murphy Canyon is a residential area with a significant population of military families. San Diego hosts several major U.S. military installations, including Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard facilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. The crash comes amid broader concerns over aviation safety in the United States following a series of recent air incidents that have shaken public confidence in commercial and private flying.
