What happened
On May 22, 2025, at 0347 PDT, a Cessna Citation S550, registration N666DS, crashed near San Diego, California, resulting in 6 fatal injuries to the pilot and five passengers. The accident also caused 8 minor injuries to individuals on the ground.
The flight originated from Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, with a refueling stop at Colonel James Jabara Airport (AAO) in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, destined for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF).
As the aircraft approached MYF, the pilot communicated with Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SOCAL TRACON). The controller noted that the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at MYF was out of service. The pilot requested an RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 28R. During the descent, the pilot requested weather information, and the controller provided conditions from Marine Corp Air Station Miramar (NKS), which reported a 200-foot ceiling and 1/2 mile visibility.
ADS-B data indicated the aircraft continued to descend through various waypoints. At 0346:12, the aircraft crossed the PALOS waypoint at approximately 1,190 feet MSL, which was below the published minimum crossing altitude of 1,380 feet MSL. Shortly after, the pilot attempted to activate the pilot-controlled runway lighting via the microphone. ADS-B tracking ended at 0346:47 at an altitude of approximately 464 feet MSL.
The investigation
The aircraft struck damaged power transmission lines approximately 90 to 95 feet above the ground, about 1.8 nm from the runway 28R displaced threshold. Debris from the left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, and vertical stabilizer was found 200 feet downrange. The main wreckage, including the engines, left wing, and thermally damaged cabin remnants, was located on a residential street approximately 1.6 nm from the runway 28R displaced threshold. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed one residential structure and 20 vehicles.
Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) units from both engines for examination. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR). A NOTAM was in effect at the time, stating that the Runway Alignment Indicator (RAI) lights at MYF were out of service.