Music Mogul and Pilot Dave Shapiro Dies in California Plane Crash

Dave Shapiro, a well-known music executive who helped launch the careers of artists like Sum 41, Vanessa Carlton, and Hanson, was more than just a force in the entertainment world—he was also a licensed pilot with a lifelong passion for flying.

Tragically, that passion ended in disaster when the Cessna 550 he owned crashed just two miles short of its destination in San Diego. The plane hit power lines before slamming into a residential neighborhood, igniting multiple fires, torching cars, and forcing over 100 people to flee into the dense early-morning fog.

“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and everyone affected by this tragedy. Thank you for respecting their privacy at this time,” Sound Talent Group said in a statement.

The crash happened around 3:45 a.m. and left a quarter-mile path of destruction. Fueled by jet fuel, the blaze damaged at least 10 homes, collapsed one roof, and sent thick smoke pouring into the San Diego sky for hours.

Initially, authorities confirmed two deaths. By mid-morning, it was clear that none of the six people aboard the aircraft survived—including Daniel Williams, former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada.

“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band posted on Instagram.

A Life Between Music and the Skies

Shapiro’s drive for success extended well beyond the music industry. In May 2020, he posted a photo of his FAA licenses on Instagram—including Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor certifications—after passing a check ride in a Citation jet.

“I’d been wanting to go back to flight school for years,” he wrote. “Even with a solid career, I always want to keep learning.”

He later founded Velocity Aviation, a flight school offering training in helicopters, aerobatics, and even BASE jumping. According to the company’s site, Shapiro fell in love with flying at 22 after using his first discretionary income for an introductory flight.

He split his time between San Diego and Homer, Alaska, offering aviation services in both locations. Online posts show he lived in Alaska with his wife, Julia Pawlik Shapiro. The couple got married in 2016 on a glacier in Denali National Park after flying in on a ski-equipped plane—an adventurous ceremony that perfectly reflected their lifestyle.

“When I met Dave, we instantly connected through our shared love of unconventional living and constant adventure,” Julia wrote in a blog post.

By 2025, Shapiro had logged over a million miles in the air and was the registered owner of the 1985 Cessna S550 through DAVIATOR LLC, an Alaska-based company.

Crash in Murphy Canyon

The doomed flight left Teterboro Airport in New Jersey late Wednesday, made a fuel stop in Wichita, and was on final approach to San Diego when it went down.

Heavy fog blanketed the area as the plane neared the runway. Aviation attorney Barry Newman explained that at such low visibility, the pilot should have initiated a missed approach if the runway wasn’t in sight at the minimum descent altitude.

LiveATC.net audio captured the pilot’s final call—just three miles from the runway.

Instead of diverting, the plane crashed. Debris scattered across the neighborhood: parts of the fuselage landed under power lines, one wing was found on a road, and jet fuel flowed through storm drains. One vehicle burned for hours. The air was thick with the smell of fuel as firefighters battled the inferno.

“We’ve got jet fuel all over the place,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy, who noted that the visibility was so poor “you could barely see in front of you.”

Emergency crews quickly set up a shelter at Hancock Elementary, where evacuees gathered in pajamas, unsure if they had homes to return to. One resident, retired Navy veteran Christopher Moore, recounted running through the smoke with his three young sons.

“It was terrifying,” he told ABC News. “But when it comes down to it, you just have to get your family to safety.”

City Councilmember Raul Campillo praised neighbors for their bravery: “There are stories of military families pulling each other from homes, jumping out of windows, escaping flames. It’s incredible.”

A Loss Felt Across Industries

Shapiro’s passing is a profound loss in both the music and aviation worlds. As co-founder of Sound Talent Group, he helped shape the careers of multiple generations of musicians. With Velocity Aviation, he inspired others to pursue flight and pushed himself to keep growing and evolving.

He lived life at full throttle—whether it was on tour, in the cockpit, or mid-air during a jump. His legacy is one of energy, mentorship, and relentless pursuit of passion.

Though the FAA notes that aviation accidents have decreased in 2025 compared to previous years, that statistic means little to those affected. The loss is raw and personal.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and asking anyone with videos or eyewitness accounts to come forward.