Pilot encountered malfunctioning runway lights during poor visibility landing attempt at foggy San Diego airport, resulting in a fatal accident.
SAN DIEGO — A Cessna 550 Citation aircraft carrying a music executive and five others crashed into a neighborhood near a San Diego airport early Thursday, likely resulting in the deaths of all six aboard, investigators said. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will probe the cause of the crash over the next year.
Investigator Dan Baker of the U.S. NTSB revealed that the accident occurred under conditions of heavy fog, non-operational runway lights, and a malfunctioning weather alert system. The aircraft, which was en route from Teterboro, New Jersey, to San Diego, made a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing on, with the pilot acknowledging that landing conditions at the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport were far from ideal. He ultimately decided to proceed with the landing after discussing visibility with an air traffic controller.
Federal Aviation Administration records showed that the airport lights were out of service, yet it remains unclear whether the pilot had reviewed this information. The air traffic controller had issued a notice of the malfunctioning weather system, but it's unknown if the pilot was informed.
Audio recordings of the pilot's conversation with air traffic control revealed he was aware of the fog and received weather information from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, about four miles from the airport. The pilot informed the air traffic controller that they'd attempt the landing, saying, "doesn't sound great but we'll give it a go."
The plane crashed approximately two miles from the airport. Investigator Baker reported that a power surge had knocked out the weather system at the airport, but the pilot appeared to have access to weather information from Miramar.
The crash claimed the lives of music talent agent Dave Shapiro, along with two employees of the music agency he co-founded, Sound Talent Group, and the former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada. The bodies of Kendall Fortner, 24, and Emma Huke, 25, two booking associates for the agency, were also recovered from the wreckage.
The crash resulted in eight injuries from smoke inhalation, but no one in the U.S. Navy housing neighborhood was killed. The aircraft's fiery impact shoved a parked truck into a home, sparking a fire, but the blaze was eventually contained.
The crash adds to a series of aviation accidents this year, prompting federal officials to reinforce flying as the safest mode of transportation, a claim supported by statistics. According to the Associated Press, the tragedy occurred during an overnight flight schedule, a routine that would not be permitted for commercial airliners due to federal crew rest rules but is not applicable to private aircraft.
Former NTSB and FAA crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti suspected dense fog and pilot fatigue could have played a role in the crash, given the pilot's long overnight journey. Guzzetti urged pilots to diligently check airport advisories such as the Notices to Airmen before any flight to remain aware of any relevant issues, including runway lights being out of service, which the pilot in this case may have overlooked.
- The crash incident has sparked discussions in the industry about the importance of proper weather forecasting and airport facilities for safe travel.
- The episode also brings light to the need for improved cybersecurity measures in the delivery of weather data, ensuring pilots receive accurate and timely information.
- Public-transit systems across the nation are stepping up their efforts to foster a culture of sustainable living, focusing on less carbon-intensive transportation alternatives.
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- In the realm of home-and-garden, companies are embracing outdoor living trends, offering eco-friendly furniture and structures that can help reduce carbon footprint.
- The tragedy has brought attention to the role of policy-and-legislation in governance of the transportation sector, with calls for stricter regulations on private aircraft operations.
- Car-accidents, a common occurrence in politics and general news, continue to raise concerns about road safety and the need for effective crime-and-justice policies.
- Amidst growing cybersecurity threats, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice issues, the need for comprehensive data-and-cloud-computing systems has become increasingly crucial.
- Legislative reforms are being proposed to address the issue of commercial airline pilot fatigue, drawing parallels from this tragedy.
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- As the weather forecast predicts heavy rains, homeowners are bracing themselves for potential flooding and property damage.
- The tragedy has sparked renewed interest in cybersecurity measures within the finance sector, as vast amounts of digital information and financial transactions depend on safe networks.
- Migration patterns are a crucial aspect of the policy-and-legislation landscape, requiring careful consideration of the economic, social, and environmental factors at play.
- The swift response from emergency services and local authorities highlights the importance of having well-funded and efficiently-organized public-transit systems in times of crisis.
