In the pre-dawn hours of Thursday morning, tragedy struck a quiet San Diego neighborhood when a private jet crashed into a U.S. Navy-owned housing area during thick fog, killing two people and injuring several others.

The crash ignited multiple homes and vehicles, leaving residents shaken and displaced as investigators began to piece together what led to the disaster.

The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II, was reportedly on final approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:45 a.m. after departing from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a fueling stop in Wichita, Kansas.

FlightAware data indicates the plane was scheduled to land at 3:47 a.m., just minutes after the crash occurred.

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the jet is owned by Daviation LLC, a company based in Alaska with ties to San Diego. The owner holds a pilot's license, though his identity and involvement in the crash remain unconfirmed.

Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Dan Eddy reported that the plane crashed just before 4 a.m., directly into the U.S. military’s largest housing neighborhood.

The aircraft exploded on impact, engulfing homes and vehicles in flames. “At least one home was destroyed and 10 others suffered damage, along with half a dozen vehicles that ignited,” Eddy stated. “We have a large debris field that covers multiple streets.”

Authorities are still uncertain about the exact number of passengers onboard, though the jet could carry eight to ten people.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Both confirmed fatalities may have been on the plane, but officials have not made a definitive determination. The chaotic scene hampered immediate assessments.

While initial reports indicated no residents were transported for medical treatment, San Diego police later clarified that five members of one family were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Another person was treated at a hospital after climbing out a window to escape the flames. Two others were treated on site for minor injuries, according to Officer Anthony Carrasco.

The impact left a haunting scene. “I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the 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.

Charred debris blanketed the streets—twisted chunks of aircraft, burned-out cars, and shattered glass. The smell of jet fuel lingered as firefighters battled to extinguish a persistent car fire, while water and fuel ran down the street in a grim stream of destruction.

More than 50 police officers responded within minutes, evacuating residents and providing aid. Over 100 people were displaced and relocated to a nearby elementary school serving as a temporary shelter.

“About military families helping military families out of their homes, jumping out of windows and avoiding fire,” said City Council Member Raoul Castillo, describing the heroism on display.

Christopher Moore, who lives one street over, recounted waking up to a loud explosion. “They grabbed their three young boys and ran out of the house.

On their way out of the neighborhood, they saw a car engulfed in flames,” he said. “It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety.”

Police officers also rescued several pets, including three husky puppies seen being rolled away from the site in a wagon. Families like Moore’s gathered blocks away, anxiously awaiting word on when they could return to their homes.

Ariya Waterworth, who lives across from the crash site, described waking up to a “whooshing sound” followed by a massive fireball outside her home.

“One of the family’s cars was completely disintegrated, and the other had extensive damage,” she said. “Despite the destruction, Waterworth said she feels lucky to be alive. I definitely do feel blessed because we’ve been spared,” she added.

Eddy emphasized that visibility was extremely limited at the time of the crash. “You could barely see in front of you,” he said.

Officials are investigating whether the aircraft may have clipped a power line before slamming into the neighborhood of single-family homes and townhouses.

Audio from www.liveATC.net confirms that the pilot was on final approach, about three miles from the runway, shortly before the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.

The incident draws echoes of past aviation tragedies in the area. In October 2021, a twin-engine plane crashed into a nearby suburb, killing both the pilot and a UPS driver.

In 2008, a Marine Corps fighter jet crashed into a San Diego home, killing four people inside.

As emergency crews continue cleanup efforts and investigators search for answers, the San Diego community begins the slow process of recovery—bound together by tragedy, resilience, and the unshakable bonds of neighbors helping neighbors in their darkest hour.

WATCH BELOW:

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.