Additional Coverage:
- Plane was flying too low during descent in crash that killed rock musician and music exec, NTSB finds (foxnews.com)
Plane Crash That Killed Prominent Music Figures Likely Caused by Combination of Factors
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sheds light on the potential causes of the tragic plane crash near San Diego, California, in May, which resulted in the deaths of six people, including The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and music executive Dave Shapiro.
The report indicates that inoperable runway lights at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) and challenging weather conditions likely contributed to the accident. The airport’s automated weather reporting system was also offline, a fact acknowledged by the pilot. The runway lights had been out of service since March 2022, pending an environmental study.
The pilot, who had been certified to fly the Cessna S550 single-pilot aircraft since December 2024, had discussed alternate landing options with air traffic control due to the conditions. While the pilot initially indicated they would inform controllers of their chosen alternate airport, they failed to do so.
Visibility near the airport was reported as half a mile with a 200-foot ceiling. As the plane neared MYF, the controller offered assistance with vectors to improve the approach, but the pilot declined. The NTSB report details the pilot’s repeated attempts to activate the runway lights, suggesting awareness of their malfunctioning state.
Tragically, the aircraft was flying too low on approach, striking power lines before crashing into a residential area. The impact and subsequent fire damaged or destroyed 20 vehicles and one home. Eight people on the ground sustained minor injuries.
The NTSB recovered a cockpit voice recorder, which will be crucial to the ongoing investigation. The plane was not equipped with a flight data recorder. The investigation is ongoing, and a final report determining the definitive cause of the crash is still pending.
Among those killed were Dave Shapiro, owner of the aircraft and a prominent figure in the heavy metal and hard rock music scene, and Daniel Williams, drummer for the band The Devil Wears Prada. Shapiro co-founded the music agency Sound Talent Group, which released a statement expressing their devastation at the loss.