SAN DIEGO, May 24 – A Cessna 550 business jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday, damaging at least 15 homes and multiple parked vehicles and igniting fires that prompted widespread evacuations, authorities said.
The crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. local time in the Murphy Canyon area, a densely populated neighborhood located near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft involved was a Cessna 550.
Emergency responders described a “gigantic debris field” and extensive fire damage across several blocks. “We’re dealing with a massive field of wreckage—burnt-out cars, homes on fire. It’s a miracle we haven’t confirmed fatalities yet,” said a San Diego assistant fire chief, as quoted by ABC News.
Firefighters and police quickly responded to the scene, evacuating residents, including pets. One image released by the San Diego Police Department showed officers leading a dog away from a damaged home as smoke lingered in the air.
No immediate information was available on how many people were aboard the aircraft or the status of its occupants. FAA investigators were on-site Thursday morning, combing through wreckage and working to determine the cause of the crash.
The incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of small aircraft safety in residential areas, particularly in proximity to urban airports. Authorities said further updates would be provided as the investigation unfolds.
