San Diego Plane Crash: 2 Dead In 'Brutal Scene' In Neighborhood

SANTEE, CA — At least two people were killed, two others were injured and multiple homes were set ablaze when a small plane crashed Monday in a residential neighborhood in Santee.

The crash was reported at 12:15 p.m. in the 9900 block of North Magnolia Avenue in Santee, a city in eastern San Diego County, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Santee Fire Department. The twin-engine Cessna 340A crashed into two homes at the corner of Jeremy and Greencastle streets, city officials confirmed. The plane also struck a UPS delivery truck and a fire hydrant.

Officials said at least two people were killed. Two burn victims were taken to local hospitals. Their conditions were unknown.

"We do have multiple confirmed fatalities; we do not know exactly how many," said Justin Matsushita, deputy fire chief of the Santee Fire Department. "We know there has been at least two confirmed, but we do not know if there are more.

"Not to be too graphic, but it's a pretty brutal scene for our guys, and we're trying to comb through it."

UPDATE: Victims Identified In Deadly Santee Plane Crash

The pilot of the plane died in the crash. He was identified as Dr. Sugata Das, a cardiologist who worked at the Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, Arizona.

UPS confirmed an employee was also killed in the plane crash. He was later identified as Steve Krueger, who had worked for the company for 30 years.

"We are heartbroken by the loss of our employee, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," a statement from the company said. "We also send our condolences for the other individuals who are involved in this incident, and their families and friends."

Aerial footage from local news stations and photos from the scene showed two destroyed homes and a gutted UPS truck nearby. Additional homes and vehicles were also damaged, Matsushita said.

The plane went down near the campus of Santana High School. Officials at the school said that all students were "secure" following the crash. The school was initially placed in a "secure campus" mode. Students and staff remained on campus until classes were dismissed.

Power was turned off in the immediate neighborhood, where debris spanned roughly one block, city officials said.

A temporary evacuation point was established at the Cameron Family YMCA at 10123 Riverwalk Drive.

Jeremy Street and North Magnolia Avenue were both closed between 2nd Street and Mast Boulevard, according to the sheriff's department. Authorities advised people to avoid the area.

Large plumes of black smoke was visible in the area after the crash.

"I want to extend my sympathies to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives," Santee Mayor John Minto said in a video published on social media. "On behalf of our City Council, we want you to know we are extending whatever support we can for those who were injured, lost homes or suffered property damage in this incident."

The County of San Diego activated its Office of Emergency Services following the plane crash.

"A tragedy like this one can have a jarring effect on a community, and I want the people of Santee to know their county government is here to support them," said Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. "Our Office of Emergency Services is activated, monitoring the situation, and stands ready to provide any needed support to the city of Santee."

The plan took off from Yuma, Arizona, and was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in Kearny Mesa, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the crash.