Local News
Video Shows Moments Plane Crashes into San Diego Neighborhood
Dramatic video footage has emerged capturing the moment a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday morning, killing multiple people on board.
The incident occurred around 3:45 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon area, near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, amid dense fog and low visibility.
The crash occurred in the area of Sculpin Street and Santo Road, a densely populated section of the Tierrasanta neighborhood.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries occurred on the ground, though the impact and subsequent fire caused extensive damage.
According to Assistant San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Dan Eddy, the aircraft struck the street and ignited jet fuel that engulfed vehicles on both sides.
โWhen it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down, it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,โ Eddy said. โYou can see that every single car was burning down both sides of the street.โ
The crash sparked fires that consumed approximately 15 homes and numerous vehicles. Thick black smoke and flames were still visible hours after the crash.
Officials noted that a “gigantic debris field” was left behind, stretching across the tightly packed residential area, with downed tree limbs, shattered glass, and twisted pieces of metal strewn across the roadway.
One homeโs roof was completely collapsed and charred, with large fragments of aircraft wreckage visible in front.
Authorities have not yet released the total number of occupants on board the aircraft.
However, they confirmed it was a Cessna 550, a twin-engine business jet capable of carrying six to eight passengers.
Officials said the flight originated from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, and was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at approximately 3:47 a.m.
Assistant Chief Eddy said that conditions were extremely foggy at the time of the crash. โYou could barely see in front of you,โ he stated. Officials are investigating whether the plane may have struck power lines prior to impact.
Residents described the terrifying scene. Christopher Moore, who lives just one street over, said he and his wife were startled awake by a loud explosion. โWe looked out the window and saw smoke. We grabbed our two kids and ran,โ he recounted. As they evacuated, they passed a car that was fully engulfed in flames. โIt was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes youโve just got to drop your head and get to safety,โ Moore said.
Emergency responders evacuated multiple blocks in the surrounding area. In a particularly touching moment, police officers were seen rescuing three husky puppies from one of the damaged homes, transporting them to safety in a wagon.
Many families, including several with military ties, reside in the neighborhood, which is situated near several local airports including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Gillespie Field, and the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
The area is known for regular small aircraft traffic due to its proximity to military and civilian aviation facilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft type and location of the crash but stated that the exact number of people on board remains unknown.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, with support from the FAA. Officials will also examine whether any power lines or other infrastructure were involved in the incident.
โOur top priority at this point is making sure all homes have been searched and everyone is safe,โ Eddy emphasized. โThere is jet fuel everywhere, and the fire response is ongoing.โ
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the cityโs historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vesselโs emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. โ Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucesterโs historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucesterโthe nationโs oldest working fishing portโactivated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. โShe put her heart and soul into this opportunity,โ family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucesterโs close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vesselโs owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. โI hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,โ she said. โThis is heartbreaking.โ
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucesterโs deep fishing heritage. โGloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,โ Tarr said. โIt appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.โ
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was โheartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,โ adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victimsโ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: โThe salt has been in our blood for generationsโฆ A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.โ
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series NorโEaster Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New Englandโs commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victimsโ families and Gloucesterโs fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.