News

NTSB: San Diego Crash Aircraft Struck Power Lines

Investigation finds the ADS-B readout shows the Cessna Citation may have been too low on the published approach.

Friday, May 23, 2025 at 10:26 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Cessna 550 jet [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A deadly Cessna Citation S550 crash in San Diego killed all six occupants and caused significant damage to homes and injuries on the ground.
Investigators are exploring if a lack of current weather information, specifically an altimeter setting, contributed to the accident amidst heavy fog and low visibility.
The pilot, attempting an RNAV GPS approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (KMYF), descended below the published glideslope and collided with high-voltage powerlines.
Contributing factors included an out-of-service automated surface observation system (ASOS) at KMYF and a closed control tower, meaning the pilot did not receive a local altimeter setting or low altitude alert.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Authorities investigating the deadly crash of a Cessna Citation S550 in San Diego on Thursday are looking at the possibility that a lack of current weather, specifically an altimeter setting at the destination airport, may have contributed to the accident.

There was heavy fog and low visibility in the area at the time of the crash. The pilot was attempting to fly the RNAV GPS approach to Runway 28R at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (KMYF).

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.