Dave Shapiro, 42, co-founder of Sound Talent Group and a rising figure in both music and aviation, was among six people killed when a Cessna 550 jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego on May 22, 2025. The aircraft departed Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:45 a.m. and struck power lines shortly after takeoff, crashing into homes and sparking fires that injured eight others and forced about 100 residents to evacuate.
Shapiro, a licensed Airline Transport Pilot and flight instructor, had long pursued aviation alongside his music career. He proudly earned his FAA ATP license in 2020 and later founded Velocity Aviation, offering flight training and sharing his passion for flying. He often flew Citation jets and even logged over 15 years of flight time, amassing more than a million miles in the air.
The crash site, located just two miles from the airport, was left covered in debris and jet fuel, damaging around 10 buildings. Officials confirmed that the wreckage had scattered across a quarter-mile area, causing fires and structural damage. The NTSB has taken over the investigation to determine what caused the fatal crash.
Sound Talent Group released a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of Shapiro and his colleagues. Remembered for his ambition, warmth, and relentless drive to grow in both business and aviation, Shapiro leaves behind a legacy that spans two industries and countless lives touched by his passion.
