What we know about the plane crash that killed alternative music executive Dave Shapiro – Washington Examiner

The Associated PressMay 24, 2025

A tragic plane crash in San diego is believed to have claimed the lives of six individuals, including renowned alternative music executive Dave Shapiro. The accident occurred early Thursday morning as the private plane approached Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport amid heavy fog and malfunctioning runway lights. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have indicated it may take a year to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Shapiro, a prominent figure in the music industry and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, was known for representing a mix of alternative and mainstream artists. Also on board were Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, and two of Shapiro’s agency employees.

The Cessna 550 Citation was traveling from New Jersey with a stop in Kansas and crashed approximately two miles from the airport. There were initial reports of the plane hitting power lines, but this has yet to be confirmed. The pilot had acknowledged poor weather conditions, expressing doubts about landing, while not directly addressing the issue of the runway lights. The fog was described as exceptionally thick at the time of the crash, severely limiting visibility.

Shapiro, who was 42, had established meaningful connections in the music scene, transitioning from a band member to a accomplished music agent focused on nurturing up-and-coming talent.his death has left a significant impact on the music community, remembered fondly for his genuine support and guidance. The crash adds to a notably challenging year for aviation safety in the United States, which has seen several high-profile incidents.

What we know about the plane crash that killed alternative music executive Dave Shapiro

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A plane crash in San Diego that likely killed six people, including groundbreaking alternative music executive Dave Shapiro, happened as the private plane approached an airport whose runway lights were out in heavy fog, investigators said.

It could take a year to sort out exactly what happened to the plane that crashed into a neighborhood just before 4 a.m. Thursday. But investigators know there was thick fog, problems with the runway lights and a broken weather alert system, Dan Baker of the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The plane crash

The plane was headed from New Jersey to San Diego after a fueling stop in Kansas. It crashed about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive airport. Eight people on the ground were hurt, none seriously.

Initial reports indicated the Cessna 550 Citation may have gone down after hitting power lines, but federal investigators have not confirmed that information.

The pilot of the plane acknowledged to an air traffic controller that the weather was not ideal and debated diverting to a different airport, according to audio of the conversation posted by LiveATC.net.

Airport problems

The Federal Aviation Administration posted an official notice that the runway lights at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport were out. The pilot didn’t discuss that with the controller but did mention he knew the airport’s weather alert system wasn’t working.

“Doesn’t sound great but we’ll give it a go,” he told the air traffic controller.

The fog was so thick around the time of the crash that “you could barely see in front of you,” Assistant San Diego Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said.

Officials have not said who was flying the plane. Shapiro was listed as the plane’s owner and had a pilot’s license.

A pillar in the music industry

Shapiro, 42, got into the music industry playing in the band, Count with Stars, he founded with friends while in high school. It was the connections he made more than the music he played that made him successful.

Shapiro helped bring the underground -a-show alternative scene in the 2010s to the mainstream. But he also was huge in creating a community, said Mike Shea, founder of “Alternative Press.”

“In this music industry, there are just too many people ripping people off and using people,” he said. “Dave was not like that. He was a beautiful soul, and beautiful person, a guiding force, just someone who would end up being an inspiration.”

Even with all his famous clients, Shapiro stayed warm, genuine and interested in bringing new bands to a wide audience.

“He would listen to any band you put in front of him to give them a chance,” said Dayna Ghiraldi-Travers, founder of public relations agency Big Picture Media, who worked with Shapiro for over 15 years.

Challenging year for US aviation

The U.S. saw its deadliest plane crash in more than 23 years in January when an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter collided in Washington. The crash killed every passenger on each aircraft, a total of 67 people.

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A sightseeing helicopter broke apart and crashed into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey last month, killing six people while a small commuter plane crashed in western Alaska in early February, killing all 10 people on board.

In Philadelphia, a medical transport plane that had just taken off plummeted into a neighborhood in late January, killing all six people on board and two people on the ground.

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