Music industry executive and avid aviation enthusiast Dave Shapiro has been confirmed as the owner of the private plane that tragically crashed in a San Diego neighborhood on Thursday.
An Associated Press report referenced the music agency Sound Talent Group, which verified that Shapiro, aged 42, lost his life in the accident along with two of his staff members.
The crash claimed the lives of all six individuals aboard the Cessna Citation 550 when the pilot—whose identity remains unreleased—attempted to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (KMYF) amidst dense fog. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has reported that debris from the aircraft was located beneath power lines approximately two miles southeast of the airport.
Shapiro was well-known in the music industry as an executive and drummer, as well as a licensed pilot who founded the flight school and ferry flight company Velocity Aviation. This aviation enterprise also offers services in aircraft leasing and sales consulting.
According to Velocity Aviation’s website, Shapiro’s passion for flying began at the age of 22, leading him to become deeply engaged in various aspects of aviation. He deftly balanced his burgeoning aviation career alongside significant positions at major Hollywood agencies before establishing Sound Talent Group.
“Regardless of the business ventures Dave pursued, aviation remained his unwavering passion,” the website stated. “Whether it was BASE jumping, aerobatic flying, piloting helicopters or multi-engine aircraft, providing flight instruction, or enhancing his own flying knowledge, Dave’s essence was in the sky.”
The website further noted that Shapiro possessed more than 15 years of flight experience, having flown over a million miles and logged thousands of flight hours.
Based on an article from https://www.flyingmag.com/owner-of-crashed-san-diego-airplane-identified/
