NTSB: Low Altitude, Faulty Lights Led to San Diego Crash Killing Rock Musician, Music Exec

A tragic plane crash in May near San Diego, California, claimed the lives of six people, including The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and music industry executive Dave Shapiro. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report revealed a combination of factors that led to the disaster, painting a sobering picture of missteps and misfortune.

The Cessna S550, piloted by Shapiro, who was licensed to fly the aircraft, was descending toward Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) when it flew dangerously low. At just 1,190 feet above sea level over the PALOS waypoint—below the minimum required altitude of 1,380 feet—the plane struck power lines 90-95 feet above ground. The impact scattered debris across a residential street, damaging one home and 20 vehicles, with flames adding to the chaos. Eight people on the ground sustained minor injuries.

Weather played a cruel role. With visibility limited to half a mile and a 200-foot ceiling, conditions were far from ideal. The airport’s Automated Surface Observing System was out of service, and runway lights, critical for night landings, had been inoperable since March 2022 due to delays in environmental studies for repairs. The pilot’s attempt to activate the runway lighting—evidenced by seven desperate microphone clicks—proved futile.

Shapiro, a respected figure in heavy metal and hard rock, owned the plane and co-founded Sound Talent Group, which mourned the loss of its leader and two employees. The flight’s final moments, captured by a recovered cockpit voice recorder, underscored the gravity of the situation as the pilot discussed alternate airports but failed to confirm a diversion. Air traffic control had cleared the plane for approach, yet the descent went tragically wrong.

This crash serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in aviation safety. As investigations continue, the loss of lives and the ripple effects on the music community linger, leaving us to reflect on what might have been avoided.