Celebrity
Music Agent Dave Shapiro Dies At 42 In San Diego Plane Crash That Kills Six
Following a fatal jet crash in San Diego that killed six people, including a music industry star, details have surfaced.
Early on Thursday, May 22, 2025, a plane crashed into the Tierrasanta neighbourhood, killing six people, including Dave Shapiro, 42, a co-founder of Sound Talent Group and a significant player in live music.
Shapiro and two of his coworkers, whose identities have not been made public while family notifications are ongoing, were on the plane, according to Billboard.
Around 3:45 a.m., the Cessna 550 took off from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
CNN reports that shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck electrical wires around two miles away and collided with residences in a military housing neighbourhood in San Diego shortly before four in the morning.
“There are fragments of the aircraft under the power lines,” said Eliott Simpson, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Debris was dispersed over a quarter mile by the impact. The jet’s fuel rained down, causing fires that damaged several homes, including one where the roof fell on top of a car, and wrecked cars.
Police confirmed at least two fatalities, eight injuries, and damage to about ten buildings in an early update released by the San Diego Police Department at 1:53 a.m. on May 22. Any debris or jet fuel discovered in the region should be reported, authorities asked the public. They evacuated about 100 residents.
Authorities praised locals for their donations and declared that no more supplies were required when they opened an evacuation centre at Hancock Elementary School at 7:21 a.m. They announced later that morning that the NTSB had assumed control of the inquiry and would be responsible for any upcoming updates.
In the aftermath, Sound Talent Group released a statement expressing their grief, “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
In addition to his music career, Shapiro had a strong interest in aviation. He posted a picture of his FAA certificates in May 2020 on Instagram, showing them as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).
Shapiro described his ATP rating as the next step beyond commercial certification in his caption, stating that he had been yearning to go back to flight school for years in order to obtain it. Despite having a well-established career, he said he always sought to learn new things and advance as a pilot.
He mentioned that he had gotten his certification in the mail after passing his check ride a few months prior. Additionally, he mentioned that he obtained his certification to fly CitationJet (CJ) models, a family of light business jets frequently used for private and corporate travel, after passing his exam in a Citation 525 series aircraft.
Shapiro was genuinely proud of the accomplishment, describing it as a “fun” milestone and acknowledging his growth as a pilot. He went on to establish Velocity Aviation, his own flight school, demonstrating that his motivation went beyond personal objectives.
As a young executive in the music industry, Shapiro earned his first discretionary money in 2005 at the age of 22, according to the company’s website. He quickly became addicted to aviation after using it to take an introductory flight. His experience and desire increased rapidly over time.
Shapiro continued to hone his piloting abilities while establishing his music career and other businesses, finally sharing his enthusiasm through the instruction and services his business provided.
From helicopters and twin-engine aircraft to aerobatics and BASE jumping—a reference to parachute jumps from fixed objects like buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs)—Velocity Aviation showcased the breadth of his flying interests.
He flew for more than 15 years and covered more than a million miles, according to the school. Public FAA data also showed his dedication. A 1985 Cessna S550 registered to Alaska-based DAVIATOR LLC is one of the planes connected to him.
The July 2024 FAA registration is still in effect. A multi-engine, turbo-fan aircraft used for executive transport, the jet is a good choice for someone who combines travel, business, and flight in a seamless manner.
The NTSB is still looking into the collision. Authorities and locals are still focused on figuring out what caused the catastrophe as they examine the evidence and evaluate the damage.
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