San Diego Plane Crash: Cessna 550 Disaster Claims All Six Aboard, Including Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams
Chaos in Murphy Canyon: Cessna 550 Plane Crash Reveals Human Cost
You never forget the sound of a plane falling out of the sky, especially when it happens in the middle of a quiet San Diego neighborhood. At 7:45 AM on May 22, 2025, a Cessna Citation II (C550) sliced through the air above Murphy Canyon, but something had gone terribly wrong. The jet clipped power lines, spun out of control, and smashed into military housing below, erupting into flames that lit up the early morning and left the neighborhood stunned.
Six people were on board for what should have been a simple flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. None survived. Among them: Dave Shapiro, age 42, a well-respected music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, beloved by countless artists for his drive and kindness. Traveling with him was Daniel Williams, once the drummer for high-profile Christian rock bands, known for his energetic stage presence. The names of the remaining four occupants have yet to be released by authorities, leaving families and friends across two states in suspense and heartbreak.
The crash left a mark on the ground as well. Eight residents found themselves suddenly in the middle of a disaster scene—dodging flames, collapsing roofs, and a barrage of emergency vehicles. Five people were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation. Miraculously, nobody on the ground lost their life. Still, more than 15 homes and cars were damaged, some scorched beyond repair, turning a pocket of Murphy Canyon into a tableau of twisted metal and charred wood. The only thing that might make this more real for locals is the line of military families now camped in classrooms at Miller Elementary, waiting for answers and, for some, a chance to go back home.
Unanswered Questions and an Ongoing Investigation
The big question: why did this happen? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have boots on the ground, but so far, details are scarce. Investigators say there were no distress calls before impact, suggesting the crew might not have even known something was horribly wrong until it was too late. For pilots in the community—and there are many around Montgomery-Gibbs—theories are floating. Did the plane hit unexpected turbulence, face mechanical failure, or was it an issue with the power lines, which run dangerously close to neighborhoods in this city?
For now, the crash has reignited old debates. Residents question why flight paths still run over dense neighborhoods. Some point to longstanding concerns over aging infrastructure and busy skies near San Diego. Firefighters and first responders, who rushed in from all over the city, are being praised for keeping flames and injuries under control. Their speed meant most residents got out with minor injuries, but the emotional aftermath is proving harder to contain.
As the NTSB sifts through the debris and families grieve for those lost, one thing’s clear: the city’s sense of safety feels a little more fragile. For friends, family, and fans of Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, the news is a gut punch—a reminder that even the most talented and experienced among us can be caught off guard by fate.