Delilah D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network- San Diego

San Diego, May 23: In a tragic incident that shook the quiet military neighborhood of Tierrasanta, San Diego, a small private plane crashed into a residential area in the early hours of Thursday, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring eight others.

The crash occurred around 3:45 am local time, sparking panic among residents who were jolted awake by a fiery explosion. The aircraft, a Cessna 550, was en route from the Midwest to San Diego when it came down just over two miles east of Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy confirmed that one home was severely damaged and multiple vehicles caught fire. “It’s a miracle that nobody on the ground lost their life,” he told reporters at the site, visibly moved by the scale of destruction.

Of the eight injured, only one person required hospitalization for minor injuries. Roughly 100 residents were evacuated from the area as a precaution, with authorities working swiftly to provide temporary shelter.

The affected homes are part of a military housing tract managed by Liberty Military Housing. Captain Bob Heely, commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego, assured that the displaced families were being taken care of. “We’re working closely with Liberty Military Housing and the Red Cross to ensure these families have a safe place to stay,” he said.

City Councilmember Raul Campillo, who visited the site, described the damage as “life-threatening” and emphasized the community’s gratitude that the crash didn’t claim more lives. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. It’s a heartbreaking day for San Diego,” he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the crash. Meanwhile, the community comes together in grief and gratitude, mourning the lives lost and supporting those affected.