A private jet crash in a residential San Diego neighbourhood early Thursday morning has left multiple people dead, according to local authorities. While officials have not yet released an exact death toll, the crash has resulted in a devastating scene of destruction but, remarkably, no injuries were reported on the ground.
The aircraft, reportedly a Cessna Citation II, had departed from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, and was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego at 3:47 a.m., according to FlightAware, a popular flight-tracking platform.
Jet Fuel Ignites Cars on Both Sides of Street
Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Dan Eddy provided updates during a press conference, confirming that “every single car” parked on both sides of the street was incinerated due to the jet fuel’s impact.
“When it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street,” Eddy said. “You can see that every single car was burning down both sides of the street.”
Despite the severe fire damage to vehicles and infrastructure, no residents on the ground sustained injuries, a fact officials credited to the time of the crash and quick emergency response.
Possible Collision With Power Lines Under Investigation
Eddy also confirmed that authorities are investigating whether the jet struck a power line before crashing, which could explain the sudden descent and fire intensity.
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Investigators from multiple agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have been dispatched to the scene to assess flight data and the crash site. Officials said the cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage.
Occupants and Aircraft Identification Pending
The private jet, which has a capacity of eight to ten passengers, has not yet been officially identified by federal authorities, nor has the exact number of people on board been confirmed. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Firefighters and police units responded quickly to contain the blaze and secure the neighborhood. Drone footage and eyewitness reports show burned-out vehicles, charred pavement, and scattered debris across the street.
The incident occurred in a quiet residential area near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, a hub for general aviation in San Diego. Residents described hearing a loud explosion followed by intense flames lighting up the early morning sky.
“I woke up thinking it was an earthquake,” said local resident Tina Martinez. “I looked out the window and saw a wall of fire and heard tires bursting.”
FAA and NTSB to Lead Investigation
As per standard procedure in aviation accidents involving fatalities, the FAA and NTSB will lead a full investigation into the aircraft’s flight path, mechanical history, pilot background, and environmental conditions at the time of the crash.
Authorities urged residents to avoid the area as recovery and investigative operations are expected to continue through the day.
More information is expected to be released as investigators collect and review evidence from the crash site, and as family members of the victims are notified.
