The airport weather instrumentation that pilots rely on to safely land planes has not functioned properly at Montgomery Field Airport, which is where the jet was flying to, since Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed with KPBS.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta said they will sue the federal government after Congress moved to revoke its electric vehicle mandate and two other clean air act rules Thursday.

The move, led by Senate Republicans, attempted to block California from regulating the pollution that comes from cars, trucks and buses, and roll back the state’s long-standing authority to set higher air quality standards than the nation.

“Our lawsuit will be about ensuring California can enforce its state laws,” said Bonta on Thursday, adding that through the years, the allowances granted by the Environmental Protection Agency, called waivers, have lowered harmful emissions and improved public health.

California has regulated its own vehicle pollution since the 1960s, before the Clean Air Act was signed into law in 1970. Due to the state’s historically horrendous air pollution, the federal government granted California the authority to set its own emissions standards, as long as they were stricter than federal rules. Those rules would then require approval from the EPA through waivers for final approval.

Republicans sidestepped the filibuster by using a little-known tool called the Congressional Review Act to revoke the waivers. Both the Senate parliamentarian, essentially the chamber’s referee, and the Government Accountability Office, an independent agency overseeing the government, said using this procedure to rule on California’s rules was not allowed.

Several faculty members at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, who spoke with KAZU on the condition of anonymity because they fear retribution, said they’ve felt pressured to stop referring to climate change in their research since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for the elimination of “‘climate’ distraction” in the military in March.

To avoid drawing scrutiny from Hegseth’s Department of Defense (DOD), members of the school’s Climate Security Network (CSN) reluctantly took down their website and paused their newsletter earlier this year, according to an NPS source. Faculty established the CSN in 2022 to prepare the Navy to adapt its operations to climate change.

According to KAZU’s sources at NPS, hiding the CSN’s work undermines the university’s mission to ensure combat readiness—and leaves the military less prepared for changing environments.

State Lawmakers Consider Bills Related To Incarcerated Workers

On Friday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider two bills aimed at improving conditions for incarcerated workers.

Assembly Bill 746 would set up a system to allow prison workers to form cooperatives while serving time. Kelton O’Connor, who’s incarcerated at San Quentin, directs LUCI– a coalition supporting antipoverty policy and says he’s motivated by a deep personal heartbreak over the climate crisis. “This was something that I was doing almost for mental health for myself, and I didn’t know how many people would want to be involved in this,” O’Connor said. “But a lot of incarcerated people are really inspired and fueled by the idea that we can be contributors rather than just play this victimhood role.” O’Connor said if the bill passes, 40% of the wages earned by coop members would go towards a grant program for businesses in poor communities that are focused on sustainability, reentry or helping crime victims.

The committee is also set to consider AB 1424, which would require the state to make conditions for prison workers more habitable.

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Six people on board a small plane that crashed in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood on Thursday morning were presumed dead as authorities work to confirm their identities and investigate the cause of the incident.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, the NTSB said local authorities will be the ones to release the names of the victims, and confirmed there were no fatalities or serious injuries to people on the ground.

The aircraft — identified as a 1985 Cessna 550 Citation by the Federal Aviation Administration — was on its way to San Diego when it crashed at around 3:45 a.m. Thursday into a home in the 3100 block of Salmon Street, just south of Tierrasanta.

San Diego Police and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials said at least 10 homes in the military housing community were damaged, multiple parked vehicles were destroyed, and about 100 people were forced to evacuate.

The FAA confirmed six people were on the plane, but San Diego Police and San Diego Fire-Rescue officials confirmed two fatalities were from the aircraft.

Eight people on the ground were reportedly hurt in the crash, but their injuries were not considered serious.

Area road closures (as of 6 a.m. — Friday, May 23):

Santo Road, from Corporal Drive to Patriot Street

Sample Street, both ways from Salmon Street to Taussig Street

Salmon Street, both ways from Salmon Street to Sample Street

Santo Road, southbound from Aero Drive to Corporal Drive

What we know about the flight

According to the Associated Press, flight tracking website FlightAware showed the jet departed New Jersey late Wednesday night and then stopped in Wichita, Kansas, to refuel.

The plane then departed Kansas and was scheduled to arrive at Montgomery Field at 3:47 a.m., per FlightAware.

Senior Air Safety Investigator Dan Baker with the NTSB said an unrelated power surge led to the failure of a system that provided weather information out of Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Instead, the pilot reached out to air traffic control at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to gauge the conditions there.

The winds were reported as calm, with one-half mile of visibility, and a 200-foot ceiling. Miramar is about four miles north of the Montgomery airport.

The NTSB also determined there were notices to air mission at the time of the accident that stated some of the runway lights at Montgomery airport were out of service.

Baker said the flight did not have a flight recorder, and they’re now investigating to see if there was a cockpit recorder.

AP, citing FAA records, reported the plane was registered to music industry agent Dave Shapiro.

Music talent agency Sound Talent Group confirmed Shapiro — a company co-founder — and two other employees were among the plane occupants believed to have been killed.

Shapiro’s agency also represents The Devil Wears Prada. The band’s drummer, Daniel Williams, posted photos to Instagram on Wednesday showing him boarding a plane with the same tail number as the one that crashed.

RELATED: Music talent agency says 3 employees died in plane that crashed in San Diego neighborhood

Latest on crash investigation

The cause of the crash was unknown as of Friday. SDFD Assistant Chief Dan Eddy said in a Thursday news conference that it was foggy at the time the private plane crashed.

“You could barely see in front of you,” Eddy said.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Elliott Simpson said at a Thursday afternoon briefing that the plane struck powerlines about two miles southeast of the airport, then collided with a house. Simpson declined to say whether the Cessna striking the powerlines was related to the cause of the crash, but said fragments of the plane were found beneath the powerlines.

On Friday, the NTSB said it will investigate the pilot’s qualifications, training, flight history, and other human factors that may have played a role in the crash. They’ll also investigate the plane’s history and any environmental issues that may have been a factor.

They plan to wrap their on-scene investigation in two to three days. Then, they will issue a preliminary report about 30 days after the accident.

Impact on the neighborhood

Some streets in the area surrounding the crash site were expected to be temporarily closed during the investigation.

Taussig Street and Yorktown Drive reopened to vehicle traffic on Thursday afternoon, but Sample Street, Salmon Street and parts of Santo Road will remain closed while NTSB conducts its investigation.

Hancock and Miller elementary schools were closed Thursday, but both schools were expected to reopen Friday to a normal school schedule, according to the San Diego Unified School District.

Some 130 personnel were assigned to the fire, including 13 engines, five trucks and four medical supervisors, officials said. The Red Cross and San Diego Humane Society assisted in the effort, with Humane Society officials saying they took in at least a dozen animals at their campuses, some of which required decontamination after jet fuel was found on their bodies.

Authorities advised anyone who smells jet fuel or finds debris near the scene of the crash site to call 619-531-2000. Those who had to leave their animals behind were advised to call the San Diego Humane Society emergency response team at 619-299-7012 or go to sdhumane.org/lost.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or had video footage was asked to contact NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

RELATED: Ways to donate to families impacted by Murphy Canyon plane crash

Statements on the incident

The San Diego Police Department issued a statement late Thursday afternoon that read, “Our hearts and thoughts go out to all the families affected by this tragedy, and we stand with the community during their time of need. We also extend our immense gratitude to all local, state, and federal agencies who have played an active role in responding and supporting those affected by this incident.”

In a statement, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said, “We have had an extraordinary response effort here led by San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and San Diego Police Department. What you see is a collaborative effort with county, state and federal partners as well as our partners in the community. Our city will be supporting these families who were impacted here. They are a part of the military community that makes up our city. Proud partners of our community. And we will support them for as long as it takes to make sure we get back to good here in Tierrasanta.”

Gloria continued, “On behalf of our city, I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of those aboard the plane. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, San Diego Police Department, Cal Fire 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,” Gloria added.

RELATED COVERAGE:

City News Service and Associated Press contributed to this report

At least 3 killed in San Diego plane crash, music talent agency says

At least 3 killed in San Diego plane crash, music talent agency says

At least 3 killed in San Diego plane crash, music talent agency says

The San Diego plane crash that killed at least three people and injured eight others on Thursday involved a Cessna 550 private jet.

The crash took place around 3:45 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon military housing neighborhood. The plane crashed into several homes, causing damage to at least 10, the San Diego Police Department said. Officials said jet fuel from the crash ignited multiple car fires.

The fiery crash forced residents to evacuate their homes and police to issue road closures. Capt. Bob Heely, Commanding Officer of the Naval base in San Diego, said the neighborhood where the crash occurred is Navy-owned housing.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

What kind of plane crashed in San Diego?

Preliminary information from the FAA said the plane that crashed in San Diego was a Cessna 550. The lane is part of the Cessna Citation model of jets.

On Thursday morning, San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy told reporters the plane was a private jet registered in the Midwest, although the owner has not been confirmed.

Eddy also said the plane can usually seat eight to 10 people, but it is still unclear how many people were on board the plane when the crash occurred.

Where did the plane that crashed in San Diego originate?

According to flight information from FlightAware, a company that offers flight tracking, the jet left the Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, on Wednesday around 8:15 p.m. local time. It made a stop at the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, around 10:49 p.m. local time. It then headed for the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego but never made it.

Local and federal officials continue to probe a fatal May 22 plane crash in a military housing neighborhood in San Diego that killed its pilot and passengers, including whether inoperational weather reporting systems and runway lighting at the nearby airport may have played a role in the accident.

A Cessna 550 slammed into San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood early Wednesday morning, sparking more than a dozen nearby car and house fires and sending plumes of smoke skyward, according to information from the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and San Diego police and fire officials.

Emergency personnel immediately responded to the scene, extinguishing multiple fires and assisting residents with evacuations, police said. According to the FAA, six people were on board the private jet at the time of the incident.

As of May 23, officials had confirmed two fatalities and multiple injuries in the crash. An NTSB spokesman said that afternoon that new information regarding the victims would come from local authorities.

Here’s what to know so far about the crash, including where it happened, who died and who is presumed dead.

Where did the plane crash happen?

The incident took place about 3:45 a.m. local time near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, the FAA said in a statement.

The jet crashed along a street and burst into flames in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood in the community of Tierrasanta, about 10 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Murphy Canyon is home to a large military population.

What do we know about what caused the crash?

While yet too early to determine the cause of the crash, Dan Baker, the senior air safety investigator for the NTSB who is leading the investigation, said authorities have so far recovered the plan’s flight track data and flight control audio. The pilot did not report any problems or declare any emergency, he said at a press conference held the afternoon of May 23.

However, two systems that pilots normally rely on were inoperational, he said. A power surge took the airport’s weather conditions reporting system offline, which may have affected the pilot’s decision-making but not performance. Additionally, notices had been issued indicating some airport lighting was out that may have impacted some runway illumination, he said.

The jet was not equipped with a flight data recorder, he said, and investigators are working to determine whether the craft had a cockpit voice recorder or whether its engines had flight recording ability. The NTSB will also examine pilot qualification, flight history, maintenance records, in-flight performance, environmental issues and any other factors that may have played a role.

Baker said the agency would release a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash, but said a final report may not be issued for 12 to 24 months.

Where was the plane coming from?

Eliott Simpson, a senior aviation accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the plane departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, at about 11:15 p.m. on May 21 and flew to Wichita, Kansas. The plane made a fueling stop in Wichita before flying to San Diego, he said.

“(The plane) struck power lines about two miles southeast of the airport, then collided with a house,” Simpson said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Who died in the San Diego plane crash?

As of May 23, officials had confirmed at least two fatalities in the crash.

Sound Talent Group, a music agency in El Cajon, Calif., co-founded by Dave Shapiro, confirmed the death of the 42-year-old talent agent in a statement to USA TODAY. Shapiro self-identified as an “airport/helicopter pilot” on his Instagram page.

Two other Sound Talent employees were also killed in the crash, including Daniel Williams, 39, who played drums for The Devil Wears Prada from the band’s 2005 inception until 2016. On May 21, Williams had shared that he was boarding a flight with Shapiro on his Instagram stories, though their destination was not stated.

People magazine reported that Williams had posted images of the plane and its cockpit before the crash.

The metalcore band paid tribute to Williams and Shapiro in an emotional May 22 post shared to social media. The two had attended a sold-out show by Pierce the Veil, which Sound Talent represents, at New York’s Madison Square Garden on May 20.

Plane crash deaths: Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada, talent agent Dave Shapiro killed

How many people were on board the San Diego plane that crashed?

At least six people, including Shapiro and Williams, were on board the plane when it went down, FAA officials said.

As of May 23, the identities of the other passengers were not immediately known and officials had not released who piloted the plane.

Who was injured in the San Diego plane crash?

Eight people on the ground were injured after the crash, the San Diego Police Department reported.

Two people were treated for minor injuries at the scene, police said, and six others received medical attention.

Who is investigating the San Diego plane crash?

The crash is being investigated by the FAA and the NTSB, which will be the lead agency on the case.

Contributing: Edward Segarra; Lori Comstock, USA TODAY Network

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Hear this story

Local and federal officials continue to probe a fatal May 22 plane crash in a military housing neighborhood in San Diego that killed its pilot and passengers, including whether inoperational weather reporting systems and runway lighting at the nearby airport may have played a role in the accident.

A Cessna 550 slammed into San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood early Wednesday morning, sparking more than a dozen nearby car and house fires and sending plumes of smoke skyward, according to information from the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and San Diego police and fire officials.

Emergency personnel immediately responded to the scene, extinguishing multiple fires and assisting residents with evacuations, police said. According to the FAA, six people were on board the private jet at the time of the incident.

As of May 23, officials had confirmed two fatalities and multiple injuries in the crash. An NTSB spokesman said that afternoon that new information regarding the victims would come from local authorities.

Here’s what to know so far about the crash, including where it happened, who died and who is presumed dead.

Where did the plane crash happen?

The incident took place about 3:45 a.m. local time near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, the FAA said in a statement.

The jet crashed along a street and burst into flames in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood in the community of Tierrasanta, about 10 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Murphy Canyon is home to a large military population.

What do we know about what caused the crash?

While yet too early to determine the cause of the crash, Dan Baker, the senior air safety investigator for the NTSB who is leading the investigation, said authorities have so far recovered the plan’s flight track data and flight control audio. The pilot did not report any problems or declare any emergency, he said at a press conference held the afternoon of May 23.

However, two systems that pilots normally rely on were inoperational, he said. A power surge took the airport’s weather conditions reporting system offline, which may have affected the pilot’s decision-making but not performance. Additionally, notices had been issued indicating some airport lighting was out that may have impacted some runway illumination, he said.

The jet was not equipped with a flight data recorder, he said, and investigators are working to determine whether the craft had a cockpit voice recorder or whether its engines had flight recording ability. The NTSB will also examine pilot qualification, flight history, maintenance records, in-flight performance, environmental issues and any other factors that may have played a role.

Baker said the agency would release a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash, but said a final report may not be issued for 12 to 24 months.

Where was the plane coming from?

Eliott Simpson, a senior aviation accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the plane departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, at about 11:15 p.m. on May 21 and flew to Wichita, Kansas. The plane made a fueling stop in Wichita before flying to San Diego, he said.

“(The plane) struck power lines about two miles southeast of the airport, then collided with a house,” Simpson said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Who died in the San Diego plane crash?

As of May 23, officials had confirmed at least two fatalities in the crash.

Sound Talent Group, a music agency in El Cajon, Calif., co-founded by Dave Shapiro, confirmed the death of the 42-year-old talent agent in a statement to USA TODAY. Shapiro self-identified as an “airport/helicopter pilot” on his Instagram page.

Two other Sound Talent employees were also killed in the crash, including Daniel Williams, 39, who played drums for The Devil Wears Prada from the band’s 2005 inception until 2016. On May 21, Williams had shared that he was boarding a flight with Shapiro on his Instagram stories, though their destination was not stated.

People magazine reported that Williams had posted images of the plane and its cockpit before the crash.

The metalcore band paid tribute to Williams and Shapiro in an emotional May 22 post shared to social media. The two had attended a sold-out show by Pierce the Veil, which Sound Talent represents, at New York’s Madison Square Garden on May 20.

Plane crash deaths: Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada, talent agent Dave Shapiro killed

How many people were on board the San Diego plane that crashed?

At least six people, including Shapiro and Williams, were on board the plane when it went down, FAA officials said.

As of May 23, the identities of the other passengers were not immediately known and officials had not released who piloted the plane.

Who was injured in the San Diego plane crash?

Eight people on the ground were injured after the crash, the San Diego Police Department reported.

Two people were treated for minor injuries at the scene, police said, and six others received medical attention.

Who is investigating the San Diego plane crash?

The crash is being investigated by the FAA and the NTSB, which will be the lead agency on the case.

Contributing: Edward Segarra; Lori Comstock, USA TODAY Network

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Two prominent figures in the music industry were among those killed when a private plane crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday morning, authorities confirmed.

Dave Shapiro, a veteran music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, were identified as among the fatalities in the May 22 crash.

The aircraft reportedly struck a power line before slamming into a residential home, which burst into flames upon impact.

The Federal Aviation Administration said six people were onboard the plane, all of whom are presumed dead. Authorities are continuing to comb through the wreckage to recover remains and have not yet released the full list of victims pending identification.

“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” The Devil Wears Prada wrote in a tribute to Williams, who joined the band in 2016.

Shapiro, known for his work with acts such as Sum 41, was also mourned by colleagues across the industry.

Despite the crash occurring in a residential area, no local residents were killed. Eight people were transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening injuries, including one person who injured themselves climbing out of a window, according to San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

A private jet carrying six people, including American music talent agent Dave Shapiro, crashed into a residential neighbourhood in San Diego early Thursday (local time), killing all those on board. The crash occurred in Murphy Canyon, a housing area for US Navy personnel, and ignited a fire that destroyed homes and injured at least eight local residents, Associated Press reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that six people were on board the 1985 Cessna 550 Citation. Though the death toll has yet to be officially confirmed, authorities believe there were no survivors. The aircraft hit a power line in dense fog before crashing into a home, sparking a large blaze. Jet fuel spilled into the streets, setting several vehicles on fire.

Residents injured, homes gutted in Murphy Canyon

The house that bore the brunt of the crash was completely destroyed, while nearly a dozen surrounding homes were damaged by flames or flying debris. More than 100 residents were evacuated as emergency responders battled the fire amid poor visibility.

No deaths were reported among the residents, but eight people were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation or minor trauma.

Debris from the aircraft was scattered across the neighbourhood, with pieces of the wing and fuselage found on roads and in nearby gardens. Jet fuel continued to seep into the streets for several hours, raising environmental concerns and delaying access for residents hoping to return.

Dave Shapiro among the deceased

Among the six killed was Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a Los Angeles-based music agency known for managing artists such as Sum 41, Hanson and Vanessa Carlton. Shapiro also ran the label Velocity Records. According to reports, two other Sound Talent Group employees were also aboard the flight.

Also Read

What caused the San Diego plane crash? NTSB to investigate

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of USA has launched an investigation into the incident. Initial reports suggest that poor visibility due to dense fog may have contributed to the crash. Officials said the aircraft was flying under instrument flight rules, which require visual contact with the runway during final approach — a condition that may not have been met.

The aircraft had departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, stopped in Wichita, Kansas, to refuel, and was approaching San Diego when it clipped a power line roughly 3.2 kilometres from the airport.

Investigators are expected to remain at the crash site over the coming days to review flight data, pilot communications, and weather conditions in greater detail.

Written by Team Colitco• 9:30 am• Australia, Daily News, Homepage, Latest, Latest News, News, Trending News, USA

A private jet crashed in a San Diego suburb, killing six people including musician Daniel Williams and agent Dave Shapiro as the aircraft, a Cessna 550, went down around 3:45am Thursday in Murphy Canyon, destroying one home and damaging 10 others while Williams, ex-drummer of The Devil Wears Prada, posted from the cockpit hours before the crash and Shapiro, the plane’s owner, had over 15 years of flying experience and was a certified instructor.

Final Social Media Posts Before Take-Off

Williams posted images from the plane cockpit and wrote, “Here we gooooo,” and in another post, he captioned, “Hey. Hey … you … look at me … I’m the (co)pilot now,” as he also tagged Shapiro in one post showing the aircraft’s control panel with the posts matching the aircraft that later crashed, tail number N666DS.

Figure 1: Instagram post by Daniel Williams before takeoff

Flight Route and Timeline

The Cessna 550 departed New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport at 11:15pm on Wednesday night then refuelled in Wichita, Kansas before continuing west towards California as tracking data showed the aircraft was headed for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego but the crash occurred just two miles from the intended destination.

Impact on Residential Area

The crash set 15 homes and several cars alight in Murphy Canyon, a suburb for military families while eight residents sustained injuries with one person hospitalised and others treated on-site as about 100 people evacuated the area in the early morning following the explosion.

Figure 2: Several houses and cars caught fire in the plane crash

Witness Accounts of the Tragedy

Local resident Christopher Moore told the Associated Press that he woke to a loud bang then saw smoke and fled with his wife and children before seeing a car on fire in the street while a nearby marine told Fox News he heard a “strange whistling wheezing noise” followed by a loud “boom.”

Response From Authorities and Investigators

San Diego’s Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy said, “There’s plane everywhere,” explaining that the aircraft’s size and speed caused widespread debris across the neighbourhood as NTSB investigator Elliot Simpson said the plane struck two power lines before crashing and he confirmed debris was found under the lines with one wing landing on a street adding the investigation is ongoing and the cause remains under review.

Confirmation of Deaths and Tributes

The Devil Wears Prada confirmed Williams’ death on Instagram, sharing photos and writing, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” as Williams played with the Christian metal band for more than 10 years before departing in 2016 while Sound Talent Group, co-founded by Shapiro, confirmed the deaths in a statement saying, “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” and adding, “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time,” as the company confirmed three employees died but did not name the others.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Devil Wears Prada (@tdwpband)

Industry Reactions to the Loss

Music executive Terrance Coughlin wrote on X, “Rest in Peace Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, and everyone on that flight,” adding, “Some of my very first shows were booked through Dave,” and continuing, “I had a handful of shows with Daniel, always a pleasure to see him play. Gone way too soon.”

Background of Victims

Shapiro was an agent for bands like Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Pierce the Veil as he also founded Velocity Aviation and taught flying for more than 15 years while Williams, a founding member of The Devil Wears Prada, was part of the band until 2016 featuring in the band’s early Christian metal music and touring extensively.

Details From the Crash Scene

The crash scattered aircraft debris throughout the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood with flames engulfing cars and smoke visible across the residential area as power lines downed in the crash contributed to the fire’s spread.

Federal and Local Investigations Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB are leading the crash investigation confirming six people were on board and all are presumed dead while NTSB teams are collecting fragments and reviewing flight data for possible causes.

Aviation Safety and Weather Conditions

The crash occurred in heavy fog which may have affected visibility and such weather conditions are under review as part of the official inquiry as Simpson stated it was too early to confirm if fog or power lines caused the crash.

Ongoing Developments and Community Impact

Authorities continue to clear debris and assist affected residents while evacuated families are receiving temporary shelter and support from local agencies as the neighbourhood remains cordoned off and the investigation continues.

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Mr Shapiro is listed as the owner of the plane and has a pilot’s licence, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Authorities work the scene where a small plane crashed into a San Diego neighbourhood (Gregory Bull/AP)

Mr Shapiro also owned a flight school called Velocity Aviation and a record label, Velocity Records, according to his LinkedIn page.

The agency did not share the names of the other two employees who died.

“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy,” the agency said in a statement.

Sound Talent Group has represented artists including Hanson, Sum 41 and Vanessa Carlton.

San Diego authorities earlier said two people had died.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) now says the total number of fatalities is unknown, but the plane could hold as many as 10 people.

The private jet crashed early on Thursday morning into a neighbourhood of US Navy-owned housing in San Diego, igniting at least one home and numerous vehicles parked on the street.

Several people were injured while trying to flee as flames raced down a single street after the crash just before 4am in Murphy Canyon, the largest neighbourhood of Navy-owned housing in the country.

Others were treated for smoke inhalation, authorities said.

Vehicles and homes were damaged (Gregory Bull/AP)

At least one home was destroyed with its front heavily burned and its roof partially collapsed.

About 10 others suffered damage at the site where half a dozen vehicles were melted and scorched into burned shells.

San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco said five people from a single family were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation after evacuating to a nearby school.

Another person was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained while climbing out of a window trying to flee.

Two others were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

At least 100 residents were evacuated, police said, with surrounding blocks cordoned off with yellow police tape and checkpoints.

Jet fuel rolled down Salmon Street hours after the crash and the smell of fuel lingered in the air while authorities worked to extinguish one stubborn car fire that sent smoke billowing.

San Diego officials have not yet released details about the plane but said it was a flight from the Midwest.

The FAA said the NTSB will lead the investigation.