Residents of a normally peaceful military housing neighborhood in San Diego got a terrifying surprise early Thursday morning when a small private plane crashed in their community.
The incident, which happened while most people were still asleep, has left locals shaken and investigators scrambling for answers.
Plane Goes Down in Foggy Murphy Canyon
According to local authorities, the plane—a Cessna 550—went down around 3:47 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon area of San Diego.
The conditions at the time were foggy and hard to navigate, raising concerns that poor visibility may have played a role in the accident.
Fireball Ignites Chaos
Witnesses described a sudden, thunderous sound that rattled their homes.
One resident told NBC 7 they heard a “loud boom” that caused their walls to shake, followed by the eerie sight of flames engulfing the area.
Another neighbor said the scene looked more like a fireworks display than an explosion.
The crash triggered a massive fireball that set multiple houses and vehicles on fire.
Fire officials report that at least 15 homes have been affected, either by the impact itself or the resulting fire.
Search and Rescue Underway
Emergency crews were quick to arrive, but there are still many unanswered questions.
It’s not yet clear how many people were on the plane when it crashed.
Fire-Rescue Division Chief Dan Eddy noted that no one has been transported from the scene so far, suggesting either no survivors or that rescue efforts are still ongoing.
Everyone in the neighborhood has been evacuated as a precaution while authorities assess the situation.
Crash Site and Flight Path
The plane crashed on Salmon Street, not far from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport—its intended destination—located just under three miles from the crash site.
A witness with military aviation experience told reporters that it looked like the pilot tried to make an emergency landing right in the street, possibly steering away from nearby homes to avoid a larger disaster.
Hazardous Spill and Investigation
Large pieces of the aircraft are scattered across the neighborhood, and because of leaking fuel, officials have labeled the scene a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) situation.
Fire crews are working to control the fuel spill, which is reportedly flowing through the residential area.
What Comes Next?
At this point, investigators are still piecing together what caused the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed details of the flight path but has not yet provided a reason for the emergency landing.
The San Diego police have been contacted for further updates, and more information is expected as the investigation progresses.