San Diego Airport's System Failures Lead to Tragic Crash
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What Really Caused the San Diego Plane Crash That Killed Six?
Six people lost their lives in a plane crash near San Diego—and heartbreakingly, it could have been prevented.
It was the early hours of May 23. A Cessna 550 Citation jet was on approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The weather was unforgiving: dense fog, near-zero visibility. But the airport's systems weren’t helping either.
No working runway lights. No active weather updates. Nothing.
The pilot, fully aware of the rough conditions and the broken systems, still moved forward with the landing. Just a few miles out, the plane clipped power lines and crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood. Houses caught fire. The damage was devastating. No one on board survived.
The People We Lost
This wasn’t just a business trip. Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group and a respected figure in music, was among the victims. Daniel Williams, known for his time as drummer with The Devil Wears Prada, was also on board, along with others connected to the music industry.
These were real people with stories, goals, families, and communities who cared deeply for them. Their absence is felt deeply.
Missed Warnings, Failed Systems
Here’s what stings the most: the airport knew the weather system was down, but the FAA didn’t issue a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions)—a standard alert every pilot expects in cases like this.
No lights. No visibility. And no official warning.
It wasn’t just a mistake. It was a serious lapse in communication. Now, both the FAA and NTSB are investigating what went wrong, and why no one said anything until it was too late.
As, we know Flying is one of the safest ways to travel—but that safety depends on systems working exactly as they should. When equipment breaks or info doesn’t get passed along, lives are put at risk.
With Deepest Sympathy
To the families, friends, and loved ones of those lost—we’re thinking of you. The pain you carry can’t be undone. But by telling the truth and shedding light on these failures, maybe the future becomes just a little safer. Their memory deserves nothing less.
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