Latest news with #CessnaS550
UPI
20-06-2025
- UPI
Report: Airport lights, weather may have contributed to deadly San Diego plane crash
Weather and malfunctioning airport equipment likely played a role in the crash of a private plane in San Diego last month that killed six people, including a prominent musician. File Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE June 20 (UPI) -- Weather and malfunctioning airport equipment likely played a role in the crash of a private plane in San Diego last month that killed six people, including a prominent musician. The Runway Alignment Indicator or RAI lights were out of service at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when the Cessna S550 carrying Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams crashed, according to the preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board. A notice to fliers issued by the Federal Aviation Administration meant pilots should have been aware the RAI lights had been out of service since March 28, 2022, according to the report. Weather conditions meant only a half-mile of visibility with a 200-foot ceiling at the time of the deadly crash on May 22. "The controller informed the pilot that the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at MYF (Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport) was out of service and the pilot acknowledged that he was aware of that," the report reads. "The pilot then discussed alternate airport weather conditions with the controller in the event he had to perform a missed approach. He stated he would notify SoCal TRACON (air traffic control) of his selection of an alternate airport, but did not do so during the remainder of the flight." Music agent Dave Shapiro was among those killed and was reportedly flying the plane, which requires only one pilot. Eight people on the ground suffered minor injuries when the small twin-engine jet crashed near a military housing neighborhood. More than 20 vehicles also were damaged. The report also indicates the plane was flying too low, with a flight level of approximately 1,190 feet roughly 2.9 nautical miles from the public airport, which is located six miles north of downtown San Diego. The plane initially struck power lines when it was between 90 and 95 feet above the ground. Most of the wreckage was located 200 feet from that point of contact, with the entire debris field strewn over more than one mile, according to the NTSB report. The Cessna S550 or Citation II can carry up to seven passengers and was first introduced 1978.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pilot of private jet registered in Alaska among those killed in San Diego crash
May 22—The owner of a private jet registered in Alaska that crashed early Thursday morning in a San Diego neighborhood is among the dead. Initial reports indicate at least three people died when the jet crashed into military housing during foggy weather, igniting cars parked along a suburban block. The Cessna S550 went down at about 3:45 a.m. The jet hit a powerline before striking a home, according to a National Transportation Safety Board briefing around midday Thursday. David Shapiro, the 42-year-old pilot and registered owner of the plane, was killed in the crash, as well as two colleagues at a California talent agency, according to a statement from the agency. The plane is registered to Daviator LLC out of Homer, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. A state corporations database lists Shapiro as the company's organizer. Shapiro is a well-known music agent and cofounder of California-based Sound Talent Group. A spokesperson for the company confirmed they lost three employees in the crash including Shapiro. "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends," the company said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time." Shapiro holds numerous pilot and flight instructor certifications, according to the FAA. Shapiro's pilot registration has a Homer address. Local residents say, at least in past years, he and his wife have spent part of the year in the Kenai Peninsula community. Their property is on the Baycrest bluff just off the Sterling Highway north of town. Shapiro also founded Velocity Aviation, a flight company that offered a range of services including aircraft leasing and ferry services as well as instruction and flightseeing from the company's Homer and San Diego locations. A story posted Thursday by Billboard said the roster of musical groups under the Sound Talent Group umbrella includes Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Set it Off, Story of the Year, Silverstein, Parkway Drive and Eve 6. Shapiro also operated the Velocity Records music label, whose roster has included Thursday, Concrete Castles and Craig Owens. The NTSB is investigating the crash. Investigators say they found fragments of the jet as well as part of a wing and will recover the wreckage for analysis. Any official probable cause finding isn't expected to be released until next year. No one on the ground was seriously injured, according to local emergency officials. The crash occurred in dense fog, according to local reports. More than 10 homes caught fire, as did several cars. About 100 residents were evacuated to a nearby elementary school. The location of the crash was near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane departed from Teterboro, N.J., on Wednesday, then stopped to refuel in Wichita, Kan., before departing on the three-hour flight to San Diego, according to the Thursday briefing and This is a developing story and will be updated.
