Investigation Summary
The flight originated in Teterboro, New Jersey, with a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas. As the aircraft approached San Diego in the early morning hours, the pilot was informed by SOCAL TRACON that the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) was out of service. The pilot requested the RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 28R. Weather at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was reported as calm winds, 1/2 mile visibility, and an indefinite ceiling of 200 feet, which was below standard minimums. ADS-B data indicates the aircraft descended below the published minimum crossing altitude of 1,380 feet at the PALOS fix, crossing it at 1,190 feet. The aircraft continued to descend until it struck power transmission lines approximately 90 to 95 feet above the ground. The resulting debris field spanned 1,200 feet through a residential area, causing a significant post-impact fire fueled by spreading jet fuel.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is currently in the preliminary stage. The NTSB released a Preliminary Report (WPR25FA161) in June 2025, confirming the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and engine FADEC units. The report noted that the pilot was single-pilot qualified for the S550 and was aware of the disabled weather systems at the destination. The aircraft was not equipped with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
Video Analysis
Small plane crashes into Tierrasanta neighborhood, setting home and cars on fire — Local news coverage showing the immediate aftermath and fire following the Cessna Citation crash in the Murphy Canyon/Tierrasanta area of San Diego.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
RNAV (GPS) Runway 28R Approach
A satellite-based instrument approach procedure. The pilot attempted this approach while the airport's automated weather reporting system was out of service.
FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control units were recovered from both Williams FJ44-3A engines to provide performance data in the absence of a flight data recorder.
Pilot-Controlled Lighting
The pilot attempted to activate the runway lights by keying the microphone seven times shortly before the crash.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 1985-built Cessna S550 Citation S/II, serial number S550-0056.
- 02Visibility at the time of the accident was reported as 1/2 statute mile with an indefinite 200-foot ceiling.
- 03The Runway Alignment Indicator (RAI) lights at the destination airport had been out of service since March 2022.
- 04The pilot had received an exemption to fly the Cessna S550 single-pilot on December 15, 2024.
- 05The airplane impacted one residential structure and 20 vehicles were damaged or destroyed by impact or fire.
- 06Ground injuries included five people from one house hospitalized for smoke inhalation and one person injured while escaping through a window.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.