Music talent agent Dave Shapiro tragically died when a small private plane crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood of San Diego early on Thursday morning. The Cessna 550 came down abruptly around 3:47 a.m., igniting homes and vehicles, injuring eight people on the ground. Shapiro, 42, owner of Sound Talent Group, was confirmed dead along with at least one other individual. Authorities have not yet disclosed the full number of passengers aboard, though none survived, and all injured were on the ground.
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The crash caused significant destruction to the area, with at least one home completely destroyed and around 10 to 15 others suffering damage. Several cars caught fire due to leaking jet fuel, which ran down the street, forcing evacuations within the primarily military residential neighbourhood. First responders spent several hours extinguishing the blaze amid thick smoke, and nearly 100 people were displaced. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with reports suggesting the plane may have clipped a power line during the foggy conditions.
Flight tracking information indicates the aircraft originated from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before its intended landing at San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. In the aftermath, large pieces of the wreckage were scattered across the neighbourhood, leaving the local community in shock. Residents described the scene as horrifying but emphasised the importance of prioritising safety during the emergency.
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Shapiro was an experienced pilot with over ten years of flying expertise and was well known within the music industry for his daring spirit and support of independent artists. He co-founded Sound Talent Group in 2018 and had worked with bands such as Sum 41 and Pierce the Veil. His agency expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences to families and all affected by the tragedy while requesting privacy during this difficult time.
