Six people died when a twin-engine Cessna 414 crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately three miles west of Point Loma on June 8, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft, tail number N414BA, departed from San Diego International Airport at 12:24 p.m. bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when it encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff. Air traffic control recordings captured the pilot’s struggle as he reported being unable to maintain heading and climb altitude.
In the final moments before the crash, air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to gain altitude quickly after learning the aircraft was flying at only 1,000 feet. The controller urged the pilot to climb to 4,000 feet and directed him to land at Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado Island. The pilot responded that he was unable to see the airport.
The pilot then issued a distress call, shouting “Mayday, mayday, mayday,” before controllers lost radar contact with the aircraft. Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed the plane making two loops over the coastline near Point Loma before crashing into the ocean.
The U.S. Coast Guard received the initial crash report at 12:45 p.m. and immediately launched a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Multiple agencies participated in the effort, including Coast Guard air and marine crews, U.S. Customs and Border Protection units, San Diego Harbor Police, and San Diego Fire Department lifeguards.
Searchers located a debris field approximately five miles off the Point Loma coast in waters roughly 200 feet deep. San Diego lifeguards found an oil sheen and debris on the water surface, which was turned over to Coast Guard officials. The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter remained on scene overnight to continue the search, with helicopter crews rejoining at first light.
After searching over 300 square miles for more than 35 combined hours, the Coast Guard suspended the search operation on June 10. Lt. Cmdr. Justin Brooks, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, indicated that the decision to suspend a search is never easy and expressed appreciation for partner agencies’ efforts.
The FAA confirmed on June 9 that all six occupants, including the pilot and five passengers, were presumed dead. Family members identified the pilot as Landon Baldwin, a resident of Safford, Arizona, and his wife Torrie Baldwin as one of the passengers. The couple, both in their twenties, were from Pima, Arizona, and left behind two children under five years old.
The other four victims were identified as Jeremy Bingham and his three sons: Bailey, Gavin, and Ayden. All were reportedly from the Gila Valley area of Arizona. Local radio station Kat Kountry 94.5 described Jeremy Bingham as a pillar of the community who was always first in line to help where needed.
The aircraft was registered to Optimal Health Systems, a vitamin and nutritional supplement company based in Pima, Arizona. However, company founder Doug Grant clarified that while the FAA database still showed their ownership, the aircraft was sold to a group of private individuals on June 30, 2023, under an official Aircraft Purchase and Sales Agreement with escrow arrangements.
Grant acknowledged that the company personally knew several passengers aboard the aircraft and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy, describing them as incredible members of their small community.
Flight tracking data revealed the aircraft had traveled from Safford Regional Airport in Graham County to Phoenix and then to San Diego on June 7, the day before the fatal crash. The plane was returning to Phoenix when the accident occurred.
Surfer Tyson Wislofsky witnessed the crash while in the water near Point Loma. He observed the plane descending at an angle, climbing back into the clouds, then diving straight into the water at what appeared to be full throttle, creating a large splash followed by complete silence.
Experienced pilot and flight instructor Robert Katz, who reviewed the available evidence, suggested the pilot may have been spatially disoriented based on the timing after departure and the pilot’s voice communications with air traffic control. Katz noted that the aircraft appeared well-equipped and did not believe mechanical failure was the cause.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are investigating the cause of the crash. The incident occurred approximately two and a half weeks after another Cessna crashed into a San Diego neighborhood, killing all six people aboard and damaging several homes.
The NTSB preliminary report is expected in about one month, per the Coast Guard’s statement.
