Plane That Killed Ex-THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Drummer DANIEL WILLIAMS Was Flying Too Low Before Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on the May 22 plane crash in San Diego, California which killed former THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA drummer Daniel Williams and talent agent and Sound Talent Group (STG) owner agent Dave Shapiro.

According to the four-page report, which was released on Wednesday (June 18),the Cessna 550 was too low on its descent path for more than a mile before clipping power lines 95 feet above the ground. Multiple homes were set on fire and jet fuel was splattered along streets in Tierrasanta, close to the plane's intended final destination of Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, which reportedly hadn't had a functional approach lighting system since March 2022. The preliminary report did not indicate whether the pilot was aware that the runway approach lights were down. Poor weather conditions also contributed to the crash. All six people on board the plane died.

A cockpit voice recorder was recovered from the wreckage and was sent to the NTSB.

Shapiro was the plane's registered owner and was believed to be the pilot at the time of the incident.

On the day of the crash, a spokesperson for Sound Talent Group told Billboard in a statement: "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time."

Williams filmed himself boarding the Cessna 550 at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey a few hours before the crash. The 39-year-old musician also shared pictures of him at the controls of the small aircraft, apparently joking that he was the "co-pilot now".

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA shared several photos of Williams on social media and included the following message: "No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever."

Williams, who lived in San Diego, left THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA in 2016 and reportedly became a software engineer.

Back in August 2019, Williams was among those who survived a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio. The drummer was at the bar Ned Peppers at the time of the incident, which left nine people dead and at least 26 injured.

The Sound Talent Group roster boasts over 400 artists, including SUM 41, LAMB OF GOD, PIERCE THE VEIL, OPETH, PARKWAY DRIVE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, IN THIS MOMENT, I PREVAIL, CLUTCH, ICE NINE KILLS and GWAR.

Shapiro previously worked at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency before launching Sound Talent Group with Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. Shapiro also owned the company Velocity Aviation, where he served as a flight instructor.