Waters
What started as a hopeful Sunday flight turned into an unimaginable tragedy for two Arizona families.
Just moments after takeoff from San Diego, a small twin-engine plane went down into the ocean, taking with it six lives — including a devoted father, his three adult sons, and a young couple expecting a child.
A Father’s Final Cry for Help Echoes Over the Radio
As the aircraft struggled to gain altitude, 48-year-old Jeremy Bingham could be heard over the radio, desperately repeating: “Mayday, mayday, mayday.”
He was piloting the Cessna along with a certified pilot, Landon Baldwin, but something had clearly gone wrong.
Air traffic controllers asked if they needed assistance, and Jeremy confirmed they did, admitting they were “struggling” to maintain altitude.
They were just 1,000 feet above sea level when they were advised to divert to the nearby Naval Air Station North Island.
But before they could make it, the plane crashed into the water roughly three miles off the San Diego coast around 12:30 p.m.
Lives Cut Short, Dreams Left Behind
Jeremy wasn’t flying alone. His three sons — Bailey (26), Gavin (24), and Ayden (20) — were with him on the flight.
All four died in the crash. They were traveling with Landon Baldwin, the pilot, and his pregnant wife, Torrie Baldwin. There were no survivors.
Back in Arizona, the Bingham family is now left grappling with unbearable loss.
Bailey had recently become a father to a 9-month-old son, Carter, with his wife Ashlyn.
Ayden had just proposed to his fiancée, Camille.
All of them were young, full of energy and plans, with their lives just beginning to bloom.
A Family Remembered With Love and Laughter
A GoFundMe set up for the Bingham family describes Jeremy as a rock — “a pillar of strength” who was endlessly giving, selfless, and hardworking.
He worked as a UPS driver and was known for his radiant smile and generous spirit.
His obituary says he had “an innate ability to connect with others” and always put his family first.
Bailey, the eldest, was remembered as a gentle soul with a big heart — a proud new dad who was eagerly looking forward to celebrating his first Father’s Day.
He had a “calm, patient soul” but also lit up rooms with his humor and loud personality.
Gavin, the middle son, was described as a blend of fierce independence and tender warmth.
His loved ones say he was deeply loyal and had a sarcastic, dry sense of humor that lifted spirits — even on the hardest days.
Ayden, the youngest, was the spark in every room he entered.
A natural entertainer, he was organized, caring, and always several steps ahead when it came to helping others.
“He had a spunky personality and a maturity beyond his years,” his obituary read.
Their mother, Stephanie, a nurse at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, and their youngest sister Kadie — who just graduated high school — now face a future forever altered.
A Young Couple’s Dream Cut Tragically Short
The Baldwins, who were also on board, were known for living a life centered around their family.
Landon and Torrie leave behind two young children. The GoFundMe page for the couple reflects how everything they did — every plan and every hope — revolved around their kids.
Torrie, a coach for a local high school tennis team, was described as “the heart of every gathering” and someone who had a gift for making others feel seen and loved.
Landon, meanwhile, was remembered as a dependable and generous friend with quiet strength.
He was someone who always made time for others, even when life got busy.
Community Mourning and the Mystery Behind the Flight
The plane that crashed had previously belonged to an Arizona-based nutritional supplement company called Optimal Health, but had been sold two years ago.
A company spokesperson said they personally knew some of those onboard and shared their deep condolences.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” they said in a statement.
“A Hole Too Big to Ever Fill”
The grief felt in both Arizona and California is deep and widespread.
One friend posted on Facebook, saying, “The world just lost some of the best men,” and described the loss as “a hole too big to ever fill.”
What was supposed to be a routine journey turned into a heart-shattering event — leaving behind mourning spouses, children, parents, and an entire community struggling to make sense of a loss so sudden, so tragic, and so complete.