Civilian Jet Crashes into Military Housing Area… All Occupants Presumed Dead, No Ground Casualties

San Diego - A small aircraft crash that occurred last Thursday (local time) morning in San Diego has sent shockwaves across the U.S. The plane, which caused at least two fatalities, has been confirmed to have departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The crash site, Murphy Canyon, the largest U.S. military housing complex, experienced a fire that damaged multiple homes and vehicles. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties on the ground.

The accident occurred just before 7:00 AM Thursday (local time, as of reporting), when a Cessna 550 small aircraft crashed into a residential area in Murphy Canyon. The crash resulted in at least one home's roof catching fire and collapsing, and over a dozen vehicles were damaged. Currently, approximately 10 homes have sustained varying degrees of damage.

The crashed aircraft was a Cessna Citation II (Model 550) jet, which typically accommodates 8 to 10 passengers. However, the exact number of occupants and their identities have not yet been confirmed. San Diego authorities presume all occupants of the aircraft died, and identification efforts are underway.

The dense fog and low visibility at the time of the crash are also being raised as potential contributing factors to the accident. The San Diego Police Chief reported that the scene was "horrific and surreal," with jet fuel scattered across the streets and everything engulfed in flames.

According to FlightAware, which tracks aircraft flight paths, the Cessna Citation II jet was originally scheduled to arrive at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego just before 8:00 AM. While the plane was reported to have originated from the Midwest, FlightAware specifies that this particular flight departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and made a stop in Wichita for refueling. Wichita Airport officials also confirmed it was a refueling stop.

Teterboro Airport is located in Bergen County, New Jersey, approximately 6 miles (about 9.6 km) from Manhattan, and is renowned primarily for private and corporate jet use. It is the most preferred airport for private jet users departing from the New York City area, as it handles no commercial flights, making it a favorite for business executives and celebrities who prioritize efficiency and privacy. Equipped with modern facilities and an efficient runway and taxiway system, it minimizes ground waiting times and is one of the airports with the highest number of private jet takeoffs and landings globally.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will jointly investigate this accident. The NTSB will lead the investigation, and determining the exact cause of the crash is expected to take a considerable amount of time. Extensive debris was found at the crash site, and authorities urged residents to report any aircraft wreckage or jet fuel they might find immediately.

The San Diego area has experienced similar incidents in the past, including a Cessna C340 twin-engine aircraft crash in Santee in 2021, which resulted in two fatalities and damage to several homes. This has heightened concerns about small aircraft safety. Attention is now focused on whether this accident will lead to strengthened safety measures for small aircraft operations and a thorough review of air traffic control systems.