Second Victim Identified in San Diego Plane Crash
The San Diego County Medical Examiner identified 37-year-old Frederic Hewett as the second man killed in the accident.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Accidents
The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified Frederic Hewett as the second victim of the fatal plane crash at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Hewett died alongside 45-year-old Roger Shimizu after their Cessna 172 crashed in Serra Mesa.
Why it matters
The tragedy highlights the risks associated with flight training maneuvers near active urban airfields. Authorities are investigating whether the aircraft was performing a specific training exercise when it crashed during its landing approach.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner officially identified both victims as 37-year-old Frederic Hewett and 45-year-old Roger Shimizu. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing following the incident in Serra Mesa.
The players
Frederic Hewett
He was a 37-year-old victim of the fatal plane crash at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
Roger Shimizu
He was a 45-year-old victim who died alongside Hewett in the Cessna 172 accident.
San Diego County Medical Examiner
This local government agency is responsible for investigating and certifying the cause of death for individuals in the county.
Fly San Diego
This is a local flight school founded by the owner of the aircraft involved in the incident.
The details
The Cessna 172 reportedly stalled while on a landing approach before spinning to the ground and bursting into flames. The aircraft was registered to an Idaho resident who founded the Fly San Diego flight school.
Timeline
The crash occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. on September 7, 2026.
Legal Context
This tragedy aligns with a pattern of general aviation accidents involving stall recovery during landing maneuvers. Such incidents are frequently analyzed against protocols established by the 2021 NTSB investigation into training flight safety.
Residents near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport may observe increased activity as investigators assess the scene and review local flight path safety. The crash serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks posed to the local neighborhood by training maneuvers.
The takeaway
General aviation training requires strict adherence to altitude and speed safety margins during landing approaches. Pilots and students should ensure all maneuvers are conducted within standardized parameters to prevent stall incidents.
Further reading
For more information on local aviation safety, visit the San Diego Accidents section.
