San Diego, CA – In the early hours of Thursday morning, a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of six individuals, including music talent agent Dave Shapiro and former Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams,
sending shockwaves across both the music and aviation communities.
What Happened?
A Cessna 550 Citation business jet — also referred to as a Cessna Citation II or Cessna C550 — departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey late Wednesday night, making a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego. Around 3:45 a.m., while on final approach in heavy fog, the aircraft tragically struck power lines and crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a densely populated Navy-owned housing area.
Fiery Aftermath
Upon impact, the plane slammed into a home, igniting a massive fire that quickly spread through the block. Multiple vehicles were incinerated as jet fuel flowed through the streets, causing explosions that startled residents from their sleep. Despite the destruction, no neighborhood residents were killed, though eight were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
“With jet fuel going down the street and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
Victims Identified: Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams
Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group and owner of Velocity Records, was among those confirmed dead. Known for representing renowned acts such as Sum 41, Hanson, and Vanessa Carlton, Shapiro played a pivotal role in shaping modern rock and pop music. His contributions to the industry as a music agent will not be forgotten.
Joining him was Daniel Williams, beloved drummer for the band The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP). Just hours before the crash, Williams had posted on Instagram that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro. The Devil Wears Prada band later paid tribute to him online, stating:
“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
The Plane and Conditions
The Cessna 550 business jet involved in the crash was registered to Shapiro. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that parts of the Cessna Citation were scattered throughout the crash site, including under power lines and along the streets.
Aviation experts note that during foggy conditions, the flight would have been operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Pilots must visually confirm the runway at a minimum of 673 feet altitude — a condition likely unmet due to the dense fog. According to audio from liveATC.net, the pilot indicated he was about 3 miles from landing before the transmission cut off.
Not the First Tragedy in San Diego
This incident adds to a grim history of aviation accidents in San Diego:
- In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed during landing, killing the pilot and a UPS driver.
- In December 2008, a Marine jet crash killed four people on the ground due to mechanical failure and human error.
Community Impact
The Murphy Canyon community remains in shock. Over 100 residents were evacuated due to fire and lingering jet fuel fumes. Damaged homes, melted vehicles, and scattered debris mark the somber site.
One resident, Navy officer Ben McCarty, recounted:
“My wife was screaming… flames blocked our exit. We had to jump over the fence with our kids.”
Remembering Their Legacy
The music world mourns the loss of Dave Shapiro, a visionary music agent whose work with Sound Talent Group brought countless bands into the spotlight. Fans and friends of Daniel Williams, a key figure in The Devil Wears Prada band, are also grappling with the sudden loss of a beloved drummer.
This tragic plane crash in San Diego serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost — even in the world of talent, ambition, and music.
Detailed Summary:
On an early Thursday morning in San Diego, a Cessna 550 Citation II private jet tragically crashed into a Navy-owned residential neighborhood, killing all six people onboard. The aircraft, which had departed from Teterboro, New Jersey, made a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was headed for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego.
The San Diego plane crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. in dense fog, causing the aircraft to strike a power line before crashing into a home in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood. The impact led to a devastating fire, igniting several vehicles and sending residents into chaos as jet fuel spilled through the streets.
Among the victims were Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, former drummer of the band The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP). Shapiro was a well-known music agent who represented major acts like Hanson, Sum 41, and Vanessa Carlton. Williams had posted to Instagram just hours earlier about boarding the ill-fated flight.
The crash left a house destroyed, damaged nearly a dozen others, and hospitalized eight residents with non-life-threatening injuries due to smoke inhalation or escape efforts. Despite the destruction, no ground fatalities occurred.
Authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause, with initial reports pointing to fog-related visibility issues. Audio records reveal the pilot was on final approach just before the crash. The aircraft was built in 1985 and categorized as a Cessna Citation C550 business jet.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What caused the San Diego plane crash involving Dave Shapiro?
The crash was likely caused by poor visibility due to dense fog. The aircraft struck a power line while attempting to land and crashed into a residential neighborhood.
2. Who was on board the crashed Cessna 550 Citation jet?
All six people on board died. Among them were Dave Shapiro, a well-known music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, former drummer for The Devil Wears Prada.
3. Did the crash cause any deaths on the ground?
No, fortunately, there were no fatalities among neighborhood residents. However, eight individuals were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries.
4. Where did the flight originate and where was it going?
The flight originated from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, stopped to refuel in Wichita, Kansas, and was headed to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego.
5. What type of aircraft was involved in the crash?
The aircraft was a Cessna 550 Citation II, a twin-engine business jet also known as the Cessna C550.
6. What is Sound Talent Group?
Sound Talent Group is a talent agency that represents musicians and bands. It was co-founded by Dave Shapiro and has worked with popular acts like Hanson, Sum 41, and Vanessa Carlton.
7. What band was Daniel Williams a part of?
Daniel Williams was the former drummer for The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP), a well-known American metalcore band.
8. Has this area seen plane crashes before?
Yes, the San Diego area has witnessed previous crashes, including a 2021 incident and a 2008 Marine Corps jet crash, both resulting in fatalities and property destruction.
9. What actions are being taken post-crash?
The NTSB and local authorities are investigating the crash, gathering evidence from the scene, and ensuring resident safety before they return to their homes.
