In the quiet pre-dawn hours of May 22, a sudden explosion ripped through San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood, shattering the calm with bursts of flame and the acrid smell of jet fuel.
What moments before was a peaceful military housing area instantly transformed into a scene of devastation and confusion. As investigators sift through the wreckage of a downed Cessna 550 jet, haunting questions loom large:
How could a seasoned pilot like Dave Shapiro—an aviation enthusiast and certified flight instructor—meet such a tragic end mere minutes after takeoff? Was it a catastrophic mechanical failure, pilot error, or something more disturbing concealed beneath the surface?
Music Industry Mourns Loss of Dave Shapiro and Five Others in San Diego Jet Crash
The early morning of Thursday, May 22, 2025, marked a tragic turning point for San Diego as a small jet crashed into the Tierrasanta neighborhood, killing six people, including Dave Shapiro—a well-known figure in the live music industry and co-founder of Sound Talent Group.
View this post on Instagram
According to Billboard, Shapiro was traveling with two colleagues, whose identities have been withheld pending family notification.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the Cessna 550 departed Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at approximately 3:45 a.m. Within minutes, the plane struck power lines about two miles from the runway and crashed into homes within a military residential area shortly before 4 a.m., according to CNN reports.
Evacuation center now at Hancock Elementary, open until 9PM.
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) May 22, 2025
Huge thanks to the community—your donations are appreciated. No more donations needed.
If you witnessed the crash or find debris, email [email protected].
Red Cross: 1-800-985-5990
“There is debris from the plane beneath the downed power lines,” stated Eliott Simpson of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The crash scattered wreckage across a quarter-mile area. The jet fuel ignited fires that ravaged multiple houses and vehicles, with at least one home suffering a roof collapse that crushed a parked car beneath.
View this post on Instagram
Initial reports from the San Diego Police Department, issued at 1:53 a.m., confirmed two fatalities at the scene, eight injured individuals, and damage to roughly ten buildings. Emergency responders evacuated approximately 100 residents. A temporary shelter was set up at Hancock Elementary School, where officials gratefully accepted public donations but later announced no further supplies were needed.
View this post on Instagram
The NTSB has since taken over the investigation, promising regular updates as the inquiry unfolds.
In a poignant statement, Sound Talent Group expressed their grief:
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our co-founder, dear friends, and colleagues. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and all those affected by this tragedy. We ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult time.”
View this post on Instagram
Beyond his music industry acclaim, Shapiro was a passionate aviator. In May 2020, he proudly shared his FAA certifications on Instagram, highlighting his achievements as both a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)—the highest certification a pilot can attain. He described earning his ATP rating as a personal milestone after years of dedication.
View this post on Instagram
Having completed his check ride months earlier, Shapiro qualified to pilot CitationJet (CJ) aircraft—a family of lightweight business jets favored for private and corporate travel. He passed the examination flying a Citation 525 model.
Describing this achievement as “fun,” Shapiro took pride in his pilot development and later founded Velocity Aviation, his own flight school that reflected his deep love for aviation and commitment to teaching others.
View this post on Instagram
According to Velocity Aviation’s website, Shapiro took his maiden flight in 2005 at age 22, soon after earning his first substantial paycheck in the music business. That flight ignited a lifelong passion for flying, which he balanced alongside his burgeoning career in music.
Velocity Aviation’s offerings spanned helicopters, twin-engine planes, aerobatic flying, and even BASE jumping—skydiving from fixed objects—demonstrating Shapiro’s adventurous spirit.
View this post on Instagram
With over 15 years of flight experience and more than a million miles logged in the air, FAA records show Shapiro connected to a 1985 Cessna S550, registered under Alaska-based DAVIATOR LLC, with documentation current as of July 2024. This twin-engine turbojet is widely used for business travel.
As the NTSB continues its thorough investigation, officials strive to piece together the events that led to the crash and assess the extent of the damage.
View this post on Instagram
The music and aviation worlds alike mourn the loss of Dave Shapiro—a visionary whose life was a unique blend of creative brilliance, calculated risk-taking, and boundless ambition.
The tragic jet crash that claimed six lives in San Diego leaves a profound impact on the community and industries Shapiro touched. As investigators work to unravel the cause, heartfelt tributes emphasize his dual legacy as a dynamic music executive and passionate pilot.
While many questions remain about the circumstances behind the accident, the tragedy’s far-reaching effects serve as a somber reminder of the fragile balance between innovation, adventure, and safety.