NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Pilot told to climb before plane crash in San Diego suburb

Southern California Plane Crash
Posted

SANTEE, Calif. (AP) — Recordings show a twin-engine plane nose-dived into a San Diego suburb despite a concerned air traffic controller warning the pilot to climb to a higher altitude.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator arrived Tuesday to examine the path of destruction in Santee a day after the Cessna 340 smashed into a UPS van, killing the driver, and then igniting two houses.

United Parcel Service of America Inc. planned to hold a moment of silence for Steve Krueger who was remembered for his laugh. The pilot, an Arizona doctor, also died, and an elderly couple on the ground were hurt.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

SaturdaySat

08/08/2026

Clear

-° / 79°

0%

SundaySun

08/09/2026

Mostly Clear

111° / 83°

0%

MondayMon

08/10/2026

Clear

110° / 81°

0%

TuesdayTue

08/11/2026

Clear

104° / 78°

0%

WednesdayWed

08/12/2026

Mostly Clear

102° / 74°

0%

ThursdayThu

08/13/2026

Mostly Clear

98° / 70°

1%

FridayFri

08/14/2026

Mostly Clear

96° / 70°

0%

SaturdaySat

08/15/2026

Mostly Clear

97° / 70°

0%