Plane Crash Sparks Fires and Forces Evacuation in San Diego Neighborhood

Crash in the Early Hours

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a small plane crashed into a residential area in San Diego, California, setting off fires and forcing people from their homes. The crash happened just before 4 a.m. in the Tierrasanta neighborhood, a place known for housing many military families.

The aircraft involved was a Cessna 550. Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy spoke at a press conference later that morning. He explained, “The Cessna 550 made a direct hit to multiple homes and vehicles,” which left behind what he described as a “gigantic debris field.”

Fuel, Fires, and Urgent Evacuation

Emergency crews responded quickly, but the situation was dangerous. “We have jet fuel all over the place,” Eddy said. At least 15 houses were set on fire, and the area had to be cleared immediately. “Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now,” he added, emphasizing how serious the situation had become.

It wasn’t clear right away if anyone had died. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the Cessna 550 can hold between six and eight people. “The number of people on board is unknown at this time,” the FAA stated.

Eyewitness Accounts and Panic

Residents nearby saw the destruction up close. A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted a photo showing a huge fire burning in the neighborhood. Alongside the image, the person wrote, “A small plane just crashed in my neighborhood??????????? What the f–k.”

One resident, Christopher Moore, lives just one street over from where the plane went down. He said that he and his wife were jolted awake by the sound. “It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety,” he said. He and his wife grabbed their two children and left their home as quickly as they could.

Fog and Ongoing Investigation

The exact reason for the crash has not yet been confirmed. But the weather was a concern that morning. Heavy fog covered the area near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. “You could barely see in front of you,” said Eddy, pointing to the limited visibility that may have played a role.

The FAA announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would take the lead in figuring out what caused the crash. This is not the first time such an event has happened near the same area. In October 2021, another twin-engine plane crashed in a San Diego suburb. That incident killed the pilot and a delivery driver on the ground, and several homes were destroyed as it approached the same airport.