Cessna Jet Crashes into San Diego’s Tierrasanta Neighborhood, Igniting Massive Fires and Destroying Homes—Dramatic Video Captures Fiery Descent in Murphy Canyon Near Montgomery-Gibbs Airport
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — In the pre-dawn stillness of Thursday morning, a residential neighborhood in San Diego was abruptly transformed into a scene of devastation, fear, and fire, as a twin-engine private jet plummeted from the sky and exploded in the heart of the Murphy Canyon area of the Tierrasanta neighborhood. The aircraft, a Cessna 550 business jet, struck the intersection of Sculpin Street and Santo Road just before 3:45 a.m., unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed cars, homes, and trees, while sending shockwaves through the tightly packed military and civilian community.
The flight, which originated from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego when tragedy struck. Dense coastal fog, common to the region but unusually thick early Thursday, reduced visibility to just a few feet. Officials have not confirmed the number of people on board, but all occupants of the aircraft are presumed dead. Remarkably, no ground injuries have been reported, though the destruction is widespread.
Dramatic video footage captured by a nearby Ring camera and circulated online shows the final seconds before impact—headlights briefly illuminating fog-blanketed rooftops, followed by a blinding fireball and a series of echoing explosions. Seconds later, the sky lit orange as the entire neighborhood was bathed in the glow of the burning wreckage.
Assistant San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Dan Eddy was among the first to brief reporters at the chaotic scene, confirming that the aircraft slammed into the residential street with explosive force. “When it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down, it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,” Eddy said. “You can see that every single car was burning down both sides of the street.”
A column of dense black smoke could be seen for miles. Flames tore through at least 15 homes and dozens of vehicles. Firefighters described the scene as a “corridor of destruction,” with tree branches ignited by radiant heat and utility lines downed across driveways and sidewalks.
The intense heat caused one home’s roof to collapse entirely. In front of that residence lay a shattered engine nacelle—one of many unmistakable remnants of the doomed jet.
Heroism Amid Horror: Evacuations, Rescues, and Survival
Emergency responders executed block-by-block evacuations in the area, knocking on doors, assisting families, and ensuring that no one was trapped inside burning buildings. Officers were seen carrying children and assisting elderly residents out of their homes, some clad only in pajamas and house slippers, dazed but grateful to be alive.
In one particularly poignant scene, officers rescued three husky puppies from the charred remains of a home near the epicenter of the crash. With debris raining down and smoke thickening, an officer carried the puppies in a wagon to a waiting ambulance. “It’s a miracle they survived,” said one responder.
Local resident Christopher Moore, who lives just one street over, recalled the terrifying sound that jolted him and his family from sleep. “We heard this thunderous roar, and then a massive boom. The house shook,” Moore said. “We looked out the window and saw smoke. We grabbed our two kids and ran. On the way out, we passed a car fully engulfed in flames. It was definitely horrifying. You don’t really think. You just go.”
A Military Community on Edge
Tierrasanta, often called “The Island in the Hills,” is home to many military families due to its proximity to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Gillespie Field, and the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Residents are familiar with the constant hum of overhead aviation traffic—but nothing prepared them for Thursday’s catastrophe.
“This neighborhood is filled with veterans, active-duty Marines, and civilian aviation employees,” said former Marine Sergeant Tim Albright, who lives two blocks from the crash site. “We’ve always lived with the sound of aircraft overhead. But never like this. This is the nightmare scenario.”
Jet Fuel and Flames: Environmental and Structural Hazards
Assistant Chief Eddy emphasized the ongoing dangers even hours after the initial impact. “There is jet fuel everywhere, and the fire response is ongoing. We are taking every precaution to contain chemical runoff and prevent further explosions,” he said.
Crews deployed foam suppression agents in addition to water hoses to manage the fuel-driven blaze. Hazmat teams are now involved, monitoring for chemical residue and conducting environmental assessments to determine whether toxic exposure occurred.
Additionally, utility crews worked throughout the morning to restore electricity and inspect damage to power lines. Although initial reports suggest the aircraft may have clipped a set of lines during descent, this has not been confirmed. Investigators from San Diego Gas & Electric are collaborating with federal officials to assess any connection between infrastructure and the crash.
Aircraft and Flight Path: What We Know
The ill-fated aircraft has been identified as a Cessna 550 Citation Bravo, a mid-size, twin-engine business jet typically operated for corporate or charter travel. According to the FAA, the plane departed Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, shortly after midnight.
The final leg of the flight was reportedly on approach to Runway 28R at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when the aircraft vanished from radar. Early telemetry indicates a rapid and unstable descent pattern in the final 60 seconds before the crash.
Weather data confirms the presence of heavy fog and low cloud ceiling at the time of approach. Visibility was reported at less than 500 feet—well below the recommended minimums for non-instrument landings.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed its involvement and indicated that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the full investigation. Both agencies are expected to examine possible causes including:
- Pilot error
- Mechanical failure
- Adverse weather
- Obstruction from power lines
- Instrument misreadings or miscommunication
Aircraft black boxes, or flight data recorders, are expected to be retrieved from the crash site and transported for analysis.
Community Response and Rebuilding
City and state officials have begun mobilizing aid for families displaced by the fire. A temporary evacuation shelter has been established at Tierrasanta Recreation Center, and volunteers from the Red Cross and other agencies are on hand providing meals, blankets, and crisis counseling.
“Our priority right now is helping these families get back on their feet,” said Councilmember Sofia Hernandez, who represents the district. “They’ve lost homes, memories, and in some cases, loved ones. We stand with them.”
Local schools have opened their doors for temporary relief efforts, and several GoFundMe campaigns have already been launched to support affected residents.
A City in Shock, a Nation Watching
As the smoke clears and recovery efforts continue, San Diego residents are grappling with the emotional and psychological toll of the disaster. Citywide vigils are being planned, and community members are flooding online forums and social media with prayers, fundraising links, and offers to house displaced families.
“It’s just surreal,” said neighbor Felicia Dunn. “One minute we’re sleeping, and the next, we’re staring at a burning jet engine in someone’s front yard.”
The crash, though devastating, could have been far worse. Aviation analysts note that the absence of injuries on the ground is “an incredible stroke of luck” given the hour, density of the neighborhood, and fire potential of the fuel onboard.
Next Steps: Investigation, Accountability, and Transparency
The NTSB investigation is expected to take months, though a preliminary report will likely be issued within 10 days. Key areas of focus will include:
- The pilot’s credentials, experience, and health
- Maintenance records of the Cessna 550
- Air traffic control communications in the minutes leading up to the crash
- Local weather reports and advisories
- Proximity of navigational hazards
Families of those presumed aboard the aircraft are being contacted by authorities and provided support services. Officials say names will be released pending formal identification and next-of-kin notification.
Conclusion
In the early hours of May 22, 2025, tragedy struck the heart of San Diego. A quiet, fog-shrouded neighborhood woke to explosions, flames, and chaos as a private jet fell from the sky into Murphy Canyon. Though no one on the ground was killed, the lives lost aboard the aircraft and the homes consumed by fire mark a devastating day for Tierrasanta and the greater San Diego area.
The full story remains unwritten, as investigators sift through debris and families mourn the unidentified victims. But amidst the destruction, stories of survival, community resilience, and heroic response shine through.
More details will be provided as they become available. Channel2 NOW will continue live updates on-air and online throughout the day.