Private Jet Crash Kills Sound Talent Co-Founder Shapiro \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A private jet crash in San Diego killed Sound Talent Group co-founder Dave Shapiro and two employees. The jet, owned and possibly piloted by Shapiro, ignited homes and cars in foggy conditions. The FAA and NTSB are investigating as the neighborhood reels from the deadly accident.
Quick Looks
- Victims Identified: Sound Talent Group confirms death of co-founder Dave Shapiro and two staff.
- Crash Details: Jet hit Navy housing in Murphy Canyon amid heavy fog.
- Widespread Destruction: One home destroyed, 10 damaged, multiple vehicles scorched.
- Injuries Reported: At least 5 hospitalized, others treated at the scene.
- Shapiro’s Background: Owner of Velocity Records, flight school, and a licensed pilot.
- Flight Path: Plane originated in New Jersey, stopped in Kansas, crashed near final approach.
- Ongoing Investigation: NTSB leads probe; fog and low visibility likely contributors.
Deep Look
A tragic plane crash in a San Diego neighborhood claimed the lives of Sound Talent Group co-founder Dave Shapiro and two of the music agency’s employees, the company confirmed Thursday. The private Cessna Citation II jet, owned by Shapiro, went down in the early morning hours during dense fog, igniting multiple vehicles and setting homes ablaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that Shapiro, a licensed pilot, was listed as the aircraft’s owner. His LinkedIn profile indicates he also operated a flight training school, Velocity Aviation, and founded the music label Velocity Records, which represents artists like rosecoloredworld, Concrete Castles, and Japan’s Nemophila.
Sound Talent Group expressed deep sorrow in a public statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.” The agency, known for representing major acts including Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41, did not release the names of the other two employees killed.
The jet crashed around 4 a.m. in Murphy Canyon, a large residential area for U.S. Navy families. The plane, descending toward Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, reportedly struck power lines before slamming into a house, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Elliot Simpson.
Authorities said several people were injured in the aftermath, including five members of one family who suffered smoke inhalation. Another resident was hospitalized after escaping through a window. At least 100 people were evacuated as emergency crews battled persistent fires, thick smoke, and the hazardous runoff of jet fuel through neighborhood streets.
Witnesses described the chaos vividly. Ariya Waterworth, a local resident, awoke to the sound of the crash and a fireball outside her window. With help from firefighters, she fled her burning home with her two children and dog. “I definitely do feel blessed because we’ve been spared,” she said, as her yard was strewn with aircraft debris and destroyed vehicles.
Police Chief Scott Wahl described the devastation as “horrific,” noting how jet fuel streamed down streets as first responders scrambled to control fires.
The flight originated from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, a small airfield popular with private jets, before making a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas. FAA data shows the jet was on final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs when the crash occurred. Live air traffic control audio captured a brief communication from the pilot, confirming he was about three miles out.
Heavy fog likely played a major role. Aviation attorney Barry Newman explained that under instrument flight rules (IFR), the pilot would have relied on instruments until descending to about 673 feet. At that point, visual confirmation of the runway would have been required to land safely. “If a pilot descends to that level and he can’t see the runway, he has to call for a missed approach or divert,” Newman said.
San Diego has experienced fatal aviation disasters before. In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed while landing, killing the pilot and a UPS driver on the ground. In 2008, a U.S. Marine Corps jet crashed in a nearby neighborhood, killing four people in a home. That incident was later attributed to mechanical failure and pilot error.
Thursday’s crash reignited memories of those past tragedies, particularly for residents like Christopher Moore, who lived one block away. Moore and his wife rushed their three children to safety as flames engulfed nearby vehicles. “It was definitely horrifying,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety.”
Police and firefighters also rescued several pets, including three husky puppies wheeled away in a wagon. Displaced residents gathered in nearby parking lots, waiting anxiously for word on when they could return home.
City Councilmember Raul Campillo praised the bravery of local residents, sharing stories of Navy families helping neighbors escape through windows to avoid fire and smoke.
While the FAA confirmed the NTSB will lead the investigation, it remains unclear whether Shapiro was piloting the aircraft at the time. The full extent of casualties is still being determined, though six people were on board.
As the community recovers, Sound Talent Group and the music industry at large are mourning the sudden loss of a key figure in live entertainment and artist development. Tributes from musicians and peers are already beginning to pour in, honoring Shapiro’s legacy in both aviation and music.
Private Jet Crash
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