Tragic San Diego Plane Crash Claims Lives of Father and His Three Sons, Leaving Community Heartbroken
Tragic Plane Crash in San Diego: A Father and His Sons Among Six Victims
A recent plane crash off the coast of Point Loma, San Diego, has left the community in mourning as a devoted father and his three sons were among the six fatalities. The incident involved a twin-engine Cessna 414, which went down in the Pacific Ocean just after takeoff on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Debris from the aircraft was discovered approximately 200 feet deep in the ocean, marking a somber conclusion to a family outing turned catastrophic.
Identifying the Victims of the Crash
Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not officially released the names of the victims, reports have identified them as:
- Landon Baldwin (Pilot)
- Torrie (Beus) Baldwin (Landon’s wife)
- Jeremy Bingham (also a pilot)
- Ayden Bingham (son)
- Gavin Bingham (son)
- Bailie Bingham (son)
All six victims hailed from Gila Valley, Arizona, and their untimely deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from the community.
Community Tributes and Remembrances
Local media has captured the emotional responses from friends and family of the victims. Kat Kountry 94.5, a local radio station, shared a poignant tribute to the Bingham family, emphasizing the profound impact Jeremy and his sons had on their community. The station noted:
“Jeremy Bingham and his 3 sons, Bailey, Gavin, and Ayden were in a plane crash in San Diego, resulting in the most unimaginable loss.”
They were described as pillars of support within their community, often the first to lend a helping hand wherever necessary.
Heartfelt words poured out for the Baldwins as well. Friends remembered Landon as a dedicated husband and father, while Torrie was celebrated as a loving person. Social media tributes highlighted the heartbreak felt by those who knew them:
“It’s hard to put into words the heartbreak our community is feeling right now… Their children are now left without their parents.”
The Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash
Details surrounding the crash indicate that the Cessna 414 took off at approximately 12:30 PM. Just shortly after leaving the ground, the pilot informed air traffic control that he was struggling to gain altitude.
According to detailed reports from Live ATC audio, the last communication between the pilots and air traffic controllers included:
- The pilot’s notification of difficulty climbing.
- A directive to ascend to 4,000 feet from their current altitude of 1,000 feet.
- A subsequent call for help, as the pilot indicated an emergency situation (“Mayday”), before losing radar contact.
The plane crashed nearly three miles west of Point Loma, a location that will forever serve as a tragic reminder of this loss.
Looking Ahead: Investigations and Safety Concerns
The FAA has announced plans to investigate the circumstances that led to this heart-wrenching event. The profundity of the loss begs not only for answers but also raises questions surrounding air safety for private pilots using small aircrafts.
The investigation will likely delve into various aspects of aircraft maintenance, pilot qualifications, and aviation regulations to ensure such tragedies do not repeat. For families flying for leisure, the ramifications of this crash could alter their comfort level when it comes to flying small planes.
A tragic reminder of how quickly life can change, the Cessna 414 crash leaves behind a community grappling with grief, while loved ones seek answers. As the investigation continues, the memory of Landon Baldwin, Jeremy Bingham, and the young Bingham boys will live on in the hearts of those they touched.
