Emergency crews rush to locate survivors following residential crash near Murphy Canyon
A small aircraft has crashed into a residential neighbourhood in San Diego, erupting into flames and prompting a significant emergency response.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Murphy Canyon area near Tierrasanta. The aircraft, believed to be a Cessna, was reportedly en route to Montgomery Field when it went down for unknown reasons.
Scene of Devastation
Eyewitnesses described a “fireball” erupting as the plane struck the ground, with smoke visible for miles. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Assistant Chief Dan Eddy confirmed emergency crews were “actively working to locate any survivors.”
Firefighters quickly descended on the area to extinguish the blaze and search the wreckage. It remains unclear how many people were on board or whether any homes were struck in the crash.
Emergency Response Ongoing
- Location: Murphy Canyon, near Tierrasanta, San Diego
- Aircraft: Suspected Cessna, inbound to Montgomery Field
- Time of Incident: Early hours of Thursday, 22 May
- Responding Agencies: San Diego Fire-Rescue, Police, FAA
- Casualties: Unknown; search and rescue underway
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are expected to begin an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Witness Accounts
Residents reported hearing a loud “bang” followed by flames erupting from the site. “It was like something out of a movie,” one local said. “We ran outside and saw the sky glowing red.”
Public Advisory
Authorities are urging members of the public to avoid the area as the recovery and investigation efforts continue.
