Small Plane Crashes in San Diego Neighborhood, Igniting Homes and Vehicles Amid Heavy Fog

SAN DIEGO — A small private plane crashed into a densely populated San Diego neighborhood early Thursday morning, sparking fires across roughly 15 homes and multiple vehicles, and forcing urgent evacuations as thick fog blanketed the area.

The crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, where many military families reside. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft was a Cessna 550, a small jet typically seating six to eight passengers. The number of people onboard has not yet been confirmed.

“We have jet fuel all over the place,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy at a press briefing. “Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now.”

Eddy described the scene as a “direct hit to multiple homes” with a “gigantic debris field” scattered through the neighborhood. Emergency crews moved quickly to evacuate several blocks and contain the fires.

Thick fog significantly reduced visibility at the time of the crash. “You could barely see in front of you,” Eddy said.

Terrifying Wake-Up Call for Residents

Christopher Moore, who lives just a street away from the crash site, described being jolted awake by a loud bang. “We looked out the window and saw smoke,” he said. He and his wife grabbed their two children and fled the house.

“As we were leaving, we saw a car completely on fire. It was definitely horrifying, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety,” Moore added.

Investigation Underway

The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into what caused the crash. Weather conditions, including heavy fog, will likely be a key focus.

This isn’t the first time the area has faced such tragedy. In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed while preparing to land at the same airport, killing the pilot and a UPS driver on the ground, and damaging nearby homes.

As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or fatalities from Thursday’s crash, but authorities are continuing to assess the scene and account for residents. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.