Kreindler Investigating Crash of Cessna 414 Twin-Engine Airplane off the Coast of San Diego

June 10, 2025

What Happened

White with glue stripes Cessna 414 on the tarmac — Cessna 414 airplane

Kreindler is investigating the June 8, 2025, tragic crash of a Cessna 414 twin-engine airplane off the coast of San Diego, California. The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from San Diego International Airport with a reported destination of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Arizona. The pilot reported to air traffic control that the airplane was difficult to control and declared a mayday (distress signal). ADS-B data (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) indicates that the Cessna private plane was flying erratically before it crashed. All six people aboard the airplane died in the crash. A Gila Herald news story names the victims as pilot Landon Baldwin, his wife Torrie Baldwin, along with Jeremy Bingham and his adult sons, Ayden Bingham, Gavin Bingham and Bailey Bingham.

The Cessna, registry number N414BA, manufactured in 1970, was a fixed-wing multi-engine plane equipped with Continental IO-520 reciprocating motors. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry website, the Cessna had been registered to Optimal Health Systems LLC, but an NBC San Diego news report indicated Optimal Health Systems had sold the plane to a group of private individuals in 2023.

In the Media

Preliminary Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash. The Gila Herald reported that following the crash, multiple agencies were involved in the search for victims, including the U.S. Coast Guard, San Diego Harbor Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The debris field is located in a section of the Pacific Ocean west of the Point Loma peninsula that officials estimate to be a depth of approximately 200 feet.

The Flight Path

According to radar data from FlightAware and audio posted by www.LiveATC.net, the pilot communicated with air traffic controllers that he was struggling to maintain his heading and climb. The plane turned towards shore twice before heading back out to sea before the crash.

Kreindler’s Experience with Cessna Crashes

Kreindler aviation attorneys have successfully handled many cases involving Cessna aircraft, including multiple cases involving the Cessna Citation airplane. Our current and past Cessna accident cases include:

About Kreindler

Kreindler is the preeminent aviation accident law firm in the world. Our attorneys have been appointed leading counsel in nearly every major commercial airline disaster case in the U.S. and abroad. The firm was recently named 2024 Transportation Law Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal. Kreindler’s aviation practice is led by attorneys who are also commercial-rated, veteran military pilots. Kreindler’s aviation accident attorneys have achieved an unmatched record of success representing people globally who have been injured or lost family members in international and domestic airline disasters. Our firm maintains offices in New York, Boston and Los Angeles.