Police officer surveying the scene of a plane crash that damaged several cars.
Share this @internewscast.com

A FAULT at the airport of the fatal San Diego plane crash was reported seven months before the tragedy as pilot faced multiple failures.

As authorities work to determine the factors leading to the fatal crash that claimed six lives, including former drummer Daniel Williams, it has surfaced that the pilot encountered numerous difficulties.

Police officer surveying the scene of a plane crash that damaged several cars.
The Federal Aviation Authority said a Cessna 550 crashed at around 3:45 am local time in a neighborhood close to the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San DiegoCredit: AFP
Video of a plane crashing into homes.
Haunting video footage from a doorbell camera shows the plane slam into homesCredit: David Nero
NTSB investigator addressing the media.
NTSB Chief investigator Dan Baker told reporters on Friday that the pilot faced two equipment failuresCredit: The Mega Agency
Aerial view of a house and cars damaged by a plane crash.
Debris covers the ground after the plane crashed and set homes and cars on fire, forcing evacuationsCredit: AP

The Cessna aircraft plunged from the sky at approximately 3:45 am PST, striking power lines and crashing into a residential area two miles from San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

The victims included Williams, 39, music agent and keen pilot Dave Shapiro, 42, booking agents Emma Huke, 25, and Kendall Fortner, 24, software engineer Dominic Damian, and professional photographer Celina Kenyon, 36.

While it has not been confirmed if Shapiro who has over a decade of flying experience was piloting the plane, NTSB officials have revealed what was happening in the cockpit moments before the incident.

It comes after a haunting audio recording of the pilot’s final message to air traffic control revealed he was flying blind amid equipment failures.

“The pilot did not report any problems to air traffic control and he did not declare an emergency,” lead NTSB investigator Dan Baker told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

But he highlighted that the weather notification system was not working at the airport when the pilot made his approach in the early hours of the morning on Thursday.

Baker said that the “inoperative” system was down due to “an unrelated power surge” after the plane smashed into nearby power lines during the crash.

Instead, the pilot was informed of the poor weather conditions including thick fog and just half a mile of visiblity by air traffic control at Marine Corps Air Stations Miramar, about eight miles away, Baker confirmed.

It was then that the pilot was recorded saying, “Alright. Doesn’t sound great.

“But we’ll give it a go,” he said as he prepared to try to land the aircraft despite the challenging conditions.

ATC call moments before fireball crash that killed ex-drummer

But that was not the only fault the pilot was forced to address.

The approach lights on the runway that can be activated remotely by pilots as they guide themselves to the airport were also down at the airport, Baker noted – and they had been for months.

Public records state the fault was reported in October last year, per CBS affiliate KFMB-TV.

“There were notices to the airmen stating that there was airport lighting that was out that would have affected the illumination of the runway,” Baker said.

Despite this, the NTSB reported that the pilot did attempt to activate the runway lights on his approach.

Investigators have not confirmed a cause for the smash, but they’re probing several factors including the weather.

The Cessna began descending miles away from the airport, cutting through power lines and crashing into homes at a US-Navy residential area, leaking fuel, sparking fires and injuring six.

‘EVERYWHERE BURNING’

Those whose homes were destroyed have spoken out about the terrifying ordeal after officials revealed the various in-cockpit challenges.

When the plane smashed into the quiet neighborhood, around 100 people were forced to flee their homes, including the McCarty family.

Infographic showing the location of a small plane crash in San Diego, CA.
Map of the crash siteCredit: Getty
Investigators at the site of a plane crash that destroyed a house.
The McCarty family have spoken out about the terrifying ordeal after their home was hit in the crashCredit: The Mega Agency
Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada drumming at a music festival.
Ex-drummer Daniel Williams died in the crashCredit: Getty
Selfie of a man wearing sunglasses and a headset in a small plane above the clouds.
Music agent Dave Shapiro who died was an avid pilot – it is not known if he was flying the CessnaCredit: Instagram

All four of them who were asleep when the plane directly hit their home survived the shocking ordeal and have revealed how the debris continued to burn hours afterwards.

“The living room looked like, this is the only way I can describe it, like in movies when they show a meteor hit, and you see the debris everywhere still burning, and burning holes through the ground. That’s what my living room looked like,” Srujana McCarty told Fox News affiliate KUSI.

Pictures from the wreckage show partially destroyed homes, melted and mangled vehicles, and debris scattered across the street.

“You would expect to face tragedies like that in the military, situations that put you in stress, but for it to happen at your home, it’s definitely one of the hardest things to have experienced,” Ben McCarty said.

“There were a lot of angels who helped us and it’s just attributed to the military training.

“Even like last night, any little noise, it was really hard to sleep. Even the chime from opening the door system, a little beep or something, it’s all kind of triggering.

“And any time I would hear like a car going through the speed bumps, it makes you jolt.”

“You’re in your home and you’re safe, and then you have a plane come crashing through your house,” he added.

‘WORLD IN SHAMBLES’

Meanwhile, family and friends of the victims of the crash have posted touching tributes to their loved ones online.

Williams’ fiancée Hannah Ray tragically revealed how her “world is in shambles” after her partner died on their 14th anniversary in a heartbreaking post on Instagram.

Meanwhile, other tragic details have come to light including in the tribute to Celina by her father Bryan Charles Feldman.

He revealed his daughter had decided to board the Cessna rather than book a commercial flight in order to be home in time to take her daughter to school.

The NTSB has said that a preliminary report about the crash can be expected in the coming weeks, but a full one could take up to two years.

Close-up selfie of a young couple.
Williams’ fiancee shared a heartbreaking tribute on InstagramCredit: Instagram
Photo of Celina Kenyon, San Diego plane crash victim.
Photographer Celina Kenyon who also died in the crash was returning home onboard the private plane to take her daughter to schoolCredit: Facebook
Photo of a young woman in a black wrap dress.
Booking agent Emma Huke, 25, also died in the crashCredit: AP
Woman sitting in a chair with her dog, working on a laptop.
Crash victim Kendall Fortner worked for Shapiro and died in the tragedyCredit: AP
Headshot of Dominic Damian, smiling.
Dominic Damian, a software engineer and friend of Shapiro was onboard the plane and died in the crashCredit: Linkedin
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Russian doctors perform surgery during Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake

Doctors in Russia conduct surgery amidst Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake

A dramatic video captures courageous doctors in Russia proceeding with surgery amidst…
Ocean view at sunset with dark clouds and mountains in the background.

Intense moment Hawaii braced for tsunami following 8.8 earthquake in the Ring of Fire, leading to mass evacuations

HAUNTING footage shows the moment ocean water receded along a Hawaii shoreline…
Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' could spell trouble for gamblers: What to know

Trump’s Promised Legislation May Pose Risks for Gamblers: Key Points Explained

A gambling tax provision in President Trump’s megabill that passed Congress earlier…
Off-duty NYPD officer, father of 2 killed in deranged gunman's Manhattan rampage

Off-Duty NYPD Officer, Father of Two, Fatally Shot in Manhattan Gunman’s Chaos

An off-duty NYPD officer was fatally shot in Manhattan on Monday was…
'Walk-on' baseball coach and substitute groundskeeper at California high school charged with sex crimes

California High School Baseball Coach and Stand-In Groundskeeper Accused of Sexual Offenses

A part-time baseball coach and temporary groundskeeper at a California high school…
Two meteor showers will peak this week: How to watch

Catch the Peak of Two Meteor Showers This Week: Viewing Guide

Stargazers are in for a double feature in the sky this week.…
NTSB launches 3-day investigative hearing on deadly DC plane crash

NTSB Begins Three-Day Investigation Hearing on Fatal DC Plane Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated a three-day hearing concerning…
Justin Fields showing no ill affects from his dislocated toe

Justin Fields Shows No Signs of Trouble from Dislocated Toe Injury

Thursday, Justin Fields was carted off the practice field. Immediately, panic swept…
Tsunami waves arrive on Japan's coast after earthquake in Russia, triggering tsunami alerts for US West Coast

Tsunami Waves Hit Japan Following Russian Earthquake; US West Coast on Alert

Tsunami waves arrived on the eastern coast of Japan following a powerful…
Japanese TV footage of several beached whales in Tateyama, Chiba prefecture.

Tragic Video Captures Whales Stranded on Japanese Shore Following Russian Earthquake and Tsunami Alert

HEARTBREAKING footage shows giant whales washed up on a beach in Japan…
Tsunami fears lessen after 8.8 earthquake in Russia

Concerns of a tsunami decrease following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia

Authorities warned the risk from the 8.8 magnitude quake could last for…
Ryne Sandberg death: Chicago Cubs fans pay tribute to Hall of Fame second baseman outside Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs Fans Pay Tribute to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg at Wrigley Field After His Passing

CHICAGO (WLS) — Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg is being remembered for his…