Tragedy struck the Murphy Canyon military housing neighborhood in San Diego as a private Cessna 550 crashed into a residential area, sparking a massive inferno. All passengers aboard were killed, and the fiery wreckage engulfed homes and vehicles in what witnesses described as a scene from a war zone.

Cessna Jet Slams Into Homes, Ignites Streets in Flames

Around 3:47 AM, the Cessna 550 was approaching Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it crashed into the 3100 block of Salmon Street, likely after clipping a power line in thick fog. The resulting explosion sent jet fuel coursing through the neighborhood, setting at least 15 homes and cars ablaze in a violent firestorm.

San Diego Fire-Rescue raced to the site, but the intensity of the flames and downed power lines made rescue efforts extremely dangerous. The NTSB and FAA have launched a full investigation, though early reports indicate no distress signal was issued before the crash. The aircraft had capacity for 6 to 10 people—all presumed dead.

First Responders Describe War-Like Scene

Emergency crews arrived to find rivers of burning jet fuel streaking down the streets. Firefighters, hazmat teams, and military police worked through the chaos, evacuating nearby homes and fighting to contain the spreading fire.

The Cessna 550 plane crashed in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighbourhood around 3.47am during a period of dense fog.
A huge fireball erupted after the crash, setting multiple homes and cars ablaze. At least 15 properties have been affected.https://t.co/QAxenqSOWk via @MailOnline pic.twitter.com/jN4dr6T4Es

— Tamra M McDougall (@TamraMcDougall) May 22, 2025

Police Chief Scott Wahl painted a grim picture:

“Everything on fire all at once… it was pretty horrific to see.”

Thankfully, no civilian deaths or injuries on the ground have been reported so far. Search efforts continue through the debris.

Area Locked Down, Schools Closed, Investigation Underway

Major road closures followed, including I-15 off-ramps and all lanes of Santo Road, as crews worked to restore power and secure the site. Two nearby elementary schools closed for the day, while Miller Elementary opened as an emergency shelter.

Multiple people killed when small plane crashes into military homes in Murphy Canyon neighborhood in San Diego, California

The plane, a Cessna 550, crashed near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:45 a.m. Thursday https://t.co/QfB7mz4fxI

— Sam Korean-American (@seminary2018) May 22, 2025

Authorities continue to determine the exact number of people aboard the jet and what led to its catastrophic descent. Power companies are also working to repair outages caused by the downed lines.

This tragic event has rattled the military housing community—and left many asking how such a disaster could strike so close to home.

Sources:

Two dead in San Diego fireball plane crash that set 15 homes and ‘every car’ ablaze on street | The US Sun

Up to TEN feared dead after private plane crashes into San Diego neighborhood in huge fireball