Music executive Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada, died in a plane crash.

The tragic event took place early Thursday morning, around 3:45 a.m. local time, in a San Diego neighborhood of U.S. Navy-owned housing. The aircraft, a Cessna 550 Citation business jet owned by Dave Shapiro, was en route from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was inbound to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Eight residents on the ground were injured, though their injuries were not life-threatening.

Dave Shapiro was a prominent music executive, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a licensed pilot, and flight instructor. He also owned Velocity Aviation and Velocity Records, representing bands like Sum 41 and Pierce The Veil. He is survived by his wife Julia, sister Jennifer, and their dogs.

Daniel Williams, who left The Devil Wears Prada in 2016, worked as a software engineer at the time of his death. He was a longtime friend of Shapiro and had previously survived the 2019 Dayton, Ohio, mass shooting without injury. The band paid tribute, saying, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”

The crash occurred amid foggy weather, and preliminary investigations suggest power lines may have been involved. Additionally, the airport’s weather alert system and runway lights were not functioning at the time of the attempted landing. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an ongoing investigation, with a preliminary report expected in several weeks.

Comprehensive Report on the San Diego Plane Crash Involving Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams

This report provides a detailed examination of the tragic plane crash that occurred on May 22, 2025, in San Diego, claiming the lives of music executive Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada, among six total fatalities. The incident has drawn significant attention due to the prominence of the victims in the music industry and the ongoing investigation into the crash’s causes.

The crash occurred early Thursday morning, around 3:45 a.m. local time, in a neighborhood of U.S. Navy-owned housing in San Diego. The aircraft involved was a Cessna 550 Citation business jet, owned by Dave Shapiro, a licensed pilot and flight instructor. The flight originated from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a stop in Wichita, Kansas, and was inbound to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at the time of the crash. Tragically, there were no survivors among the six people on board, and eight residents on the ground were injured. However, their injuries were reported as not life-threatening, including cases of smoke inhalation and one injury from climbing out a window.

The crash claimed the lives of several individuals, with particular focus on Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams due to their public profiles:

Dave Shapiro: A prominent figure in the music industry, Shapiro co-founded Sound Talent Group, a talent agency representing bands such as Sum 41, Pierce The Veil, and Vanessa Carlton. He also owned Velocity Aviation and Velocity Records, showcasing his extensive involvement in aviation and music. As a licensed pilot and flight instructor, he was the registered owner of the aircraft involved in the crash. Shapiro is survived by his wife Julia, sister Jennifer, and their dogs, Amigo, Juneau, and Monster. His contributions to the music industry were significant, and his loss has been deeply felt, as evidenced by tributes from Sound Talent Group, which stated, “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”

Daniel Williams: Known for his tenure as the drummer of The Devil Wears Prada until 2016, Williams had transitioned to a career as a software engineer by the time of his death. He was a longtime friend of Dave Shapiro and had a notable personal history, having survived the 2019 Dayton, Ohio, mass shooting without injury. The band paid an emotional tribute on X, stating, “no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” This post reflects Williams’s profound impact on his peers and fans, highlighting his legacy beyond his musical contributions.

Circumstances and Preliminary Findings

The crash occurred under challenging conditions, with foggy weather reported at the time. Preliminary investigations suggest that power lines may have been an initial cause, as the aircraft ignited multiple homes and cars upon impact, with jet fuel rolling down the streets. The crash site saw significant damage, but fortunately, no neighborhood deaths were reported beyond those on the aircraft.

A critical detail emerged regarding the airport’s infrastructure: at the time of the attempted landing just before 4 a.m., the weather alert system and runway lights at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport were not functioning. This has raised questions about airport safety protocols, with the National Transportation Safety Board noting that the plane lacked a flight data recorder, and the status of the cockpit voice recorder is under investigation. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact cause, with a preliminary report expected in several weeks, as stated by NBC San Diego.

The music industry has been shaken by the loss of Shapiro and Williams, with Sound Talent Group expressing devastation and condolences to the families and all impacted by the tragedy. The Devil Wears Prada’s tribute on X underscores the personal and professional bonds within the music community, emphasizing Williams’ enduring legacy. The crash also affected the local community, with eight residents injured. However, their conditions were not life-threatening, including instances of smoke inhalation and one injury from escaping through a window.