The San Diego fatal plane crash at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport killed two people Monday evening, September 7, after a small aircraft crashed on the runway and erupted in flames. Fire crews contained the runway blaze and fuel leak as an airport closure remained in effect and authorities began a crash probe.

Fuel leak

According to the San Diego Police Department, the plane crashed at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego's Kearny Mesa area. The aircraft was heavily damaged on impact and quickly became engulfed in fire, prompting an emergency response involving about 30 San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel.

Fire officials said aviation fuel was actively leaking and burning after the crash. Firefighters extinguished the main fire and later worked to control a smaller remaining fuel leak. Officials said the leaking fuel was contained to the crash area and was not spreading toward nearby property.

Airport personnel were also coordinating with a specialist contractor to properly clean up the spilled fuel before normal operations could resume.

Runway blaze

Fire officials said the aircraft came down in the middle of the runway. Because of the location, there were no immediate exposures or reports of nearby buildings being threatened by the fire.

Crews focused on extinguishing the runway blaze, securing the damaged plane and preventing additional fuel from igniting. Officials said the main fire had been put out while cleanup crews continued addressing the remaining fuel at the scene.

The identities of the two people killed were not immediately released in the initial official information.

Airport closure

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport was temporarily closed while police, firefighters and airport personnel carried out emergency operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration was involved in the airport closure process, while officials said reopening would depend on the completion of fuel cleanup and aviation safety requirements. Airport personnel were expected to determine when operations could safely resume after the scene was cleared.

The temporary airport closure also allowed investigators to preserve the runway area and examine the wreckage without interfering with normal aircraft movements.

Crash probe

Authorities had not immediately determined whether the small plane was taking off or attempting to land when the crash occurred. The cause of the accident also remained unknown in the initial hours following the incident.

Police were holding the scene for investigation while aviation authorities prepared to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Officials indicated that NTSB recommendations could also affect when the airport would be permitted to fully reopen.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, runway, flight circumstances and other available evidence as part of the crash probe. Officials had not announced a preliminary cause.

Maryland landing

A separate aviation incident occurred the same day at Montgomery County Airpark in Maryland. A twin-engine plane experienced a problem with its nose landing gear before making a hard emergency landing.

The aircraft circled before coming down without its front landing gear. Both occupants were able to leave the plane safely, and officials reported no injuries or fire.

The Maryland landing was unrelated to the fatal San Diego crash. While both incidents involved emergency airport responses on September 7, authorities have given no indication of any connection between them.