A small Cessna Skyhawk aircraft crashed and caught fire on a runway at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) in San Diego, California, on the evening of September 7, 2026, leaving two people dead on board. According to a report issued by the San Diego Police Department, emergency responders received notice of the crash at approximately 17:20 local time. The fatal incident occurred on the Labor Day holiday, a time when most businesses and shops operating at the general aviation facility were closed.
Speaking at a news conference with local media, San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Brian Raines stated that the aircraft sustained catastrophic damage before emergency crews could reach the scene, rendering it impossible to extricate anyone from the wreckage. Raines confirmed that both individuals aboard the plane died in the accident, though authorities have not yet publicly released their identities. Officials emphasized that there was no risk of the fire spreading beyond the crash site, and a specialist contractor was summoned to clear spilled aviation fuel from the runway.
Witnesses near the airfield described the moments leading up to the impact. A resident watching flights from the top floor of a nearby parking garage told the Los Angeles Times that the aircraft appeared to tilt sharply to the right during its landing approach before its wing struck the ground. According to the witness, the front section of the plane caught fire within seconds of impact, with no visible smoke preceding the collision. Additionally, two workers from a nearby hangar reported hearing a loud explosion before attempting to extinguish the rapidly spreading flames, which completely engulfed the aircraft in about 90 seconds.
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately shut down Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, with no initial timetable established for its reopening. Assistant Chief Raines noted that decisions regarding the airport's reopening will be made in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and airport officials, contingent upon the requirements of the ongoing safety inquiry. The NTSB has assumed the lead role in investigating the cause of the accident. Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport serves as a regional general aviation hub supporting private, corporate, charter, medical transport, flight training, and light cargo operations.
