San Diego, crash and Cessna 550 jet
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Coroner's officials have identified more of the six people killed when a plane crashed into a San Diego military housing community last week.
The 3:45 a.m. crash wreaked havoc across several blocks of federal housing, leaving smashed cars and a trail of jet fuel burning in the street. More than 10 houses were badly damaged from debris, sending shocked families running from the smoke and flames.
The former U.S. Air Force pilot and his friend urgently needed to find a safe spot to land as they were 9 miles from the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport.
Shapiro, an advocate for indie musicians, had a pilot’s license and was listed as the owner of the Cessna 550 that crashed in San Diego.
San Diego County officials identified four of the jet’s six occupants killed in the crash and ensuing fire. One was 42-year-old music agent and certified pilot David Shapiro, who owned the company to which the Cessna 550 Citation II was registered.
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Officials said the pilot experienced an unknown mechanical issue as he was approaching the Modesto Airport. He landed the plane on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes of Highway 132, with the left wingtip partially hanging over the slow lane.
Textron Aviation has marked the fifth anniversary of its multipurpose utility turboprop, the Cessna 408 SkyCourier.
The victims shared a love of live music that took them to shows back east before they left New Jersey late Wednesday on the ill-fated flight.