Loss of critical lighting and low visibility contributed to plane crash in San Diego

The recent plane crash that claimed six lives in San Diego was likely caused by multiple factors, including the failure of runway lights and low-altitude flying. Federal investigators revealed that the lights intended to assist aircraft landing had been out of service since 2022, a detail noted in official notices, but it remains unclear whether the pilot was aware of this at the time.

The aircraft was descending in foggy weather and came in too low, striking power lines only about 60 feet above the ground—well below the required altitude of roughly 200 feet. The crash occurred as the plane was attempting to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, which lacked functional runway lighting, further complicating the approach.

Authorities uncovered that the pilot had acknowledged subpar weather conditions and discussed the possibility of diverting to an alternate airport. Despite this, the pilot proceeded with the landing, assuring air traffic control, “I think we’ll be alright.” The investigation raised questions about whether the pilot was aware of the non-operational lights, as he made no mention of the issue during radio communications.

The investigation also highlighted that the aircraft’s low altitude contributed significantly to the accident. The plane was about 60 feet above ground when it collided with power lines, nearly 200 feet below the standard minimum altitude for such approaches.

The authorities have not yet determined an official cause of the crash. The final report from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected later this year, which will provide a comprehensive explanation of the incident.