On June 8, 2025, around 12:30 p.m. local time, a twin‑engine Cessna 414 departed from San Diego International Airport bound for Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after takeoff, at approximately three miles west of Point Loma, the aircraft plunged into the Pacific Ocean, killing all six people on board youtube.com+9people.com+9gilaherald.com+9.
️ Victims
Among the deceased were pilot Landon Baldwin (28) and his wife Torrie (Beus) Baldwin, both from the Gila Valley area (Pima/Safford, Arizona), who leave behind two young children under the age of five fox10phoenix.com+3people.com+3gilaherald.com+3. The other four victims were a father, Jeremy Bingham, and his three adult sons—Ayden, Gavin, and Bailey Bingham—also from Arizona people.com+2hindustantimes.com+2gilaherald.com+2.
Final Moments
Shortly after takeoff, radio transmissions captured Landon reporting difficulty climbing, indicating the aircraft could reach only ~1,000 feet. Air traffic control urged him to climb to 4,000 feet and redirect to Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado Island. However, Landon—reportedly unable to see the airstrip due to low clouds or marine layer—sent repeated Mayday distress calls before radar contact was lost hindustantimes.com+2people.com+2gilaherald.com+2.
A witness described the aircraft emerging from cloud cover at an unusual angle and descending sharply nose-first into the water, with impact occurring seconds after a visible splash . The wreckage was later located in approximately 200 feet of water, roughly three miles from the shoreline gilaherald.com.
Emergency Response
Immediately following the crash, the U.S. Coast Guard, San Diego Harbor Police, lifeguards, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection responded. Helicopters (including a Jayhawk) and boats conducted an extensive search and recovery operation in the area people.com+2gilaherald.com+2cbs8.com+2. By June 10, crews had recovered all six occupants and the debris field, and the Coast Guard suspended the search for survivors hindustantimes.com+3gilaherald.com+3people.com+3.
Identities & Tributes
While the FAA has not officially released names, family sources and local media confirmed the identities: Landon and Torrie Baldwin, and Jeremy Bingham with his sons youtube.com+8hindustantimes.com+8gilaherald.com+8. Their communities in Arizona are mourning deeply:
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A relative, Kirsten Baldwin, shared to FOX and CBS affiliate KNSD:
“I was deeply shocked… it just didn’t seem like it could happen to this couple… Something was incredibly wrong for that to have happened.” hindustantimes.com+3people.com+3fox10phoenix.com+3
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Tributes for the Bingham family called Jeremy a “pillar to this community,” noting he and wife Stephanie raised remarkable children hindustantimes.com.
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Additional heartfelt remembrances described Torrie as “full of love,” and mourners emphasized the couple’s deep faith and hope that they would reunite with their children in the afterlife .
Investigation Underway
The FAA and NTSB have launched a thorough investigation into the crash 12news.com+9people.com+9fox10phoenix.com+9. Early indicators include:
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Mechanical issues or maintenance concerns—family members hinted at possible maintenance problems, though nothing is confirmed nbcsandiego.com+3fox10phoenix.com+3people.com+3.
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Poor climb performance, as reported by the pilot in ATC communications.
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Weather conditions—low clouds and a dense marine layer may have impaired visibility and disoriented the pilot people.com+1hindustantimes.com+1.
Officials continue to recover data from the aircraft’s flight recorders and examine wreckage to determine whether mechanical failure, environmental conditions, or pilot error led to the tragedy.
Impact & Legacy
The loss is profoundly felt in both Arizona and California. In Gila Valley, local efforts include fundraisers, benefit activities (e.g., runs), and donation drives via Venmo accounts for both families gilaherald.com+1fox10phoenix.com+1. Community members are also rallying to support the young children of Landon and Torrie, as well as Jeremy Bingham’s wife Stephanie.
The incident also highlights ongoing concerns around twin‑engine aircraft safety, pilot training for emergency climbs, and flight path decisions in coastal fog conditions. As the NTSB investigation progresses, recommendations may emerge regarding pre-flight inspections, ignition/engine monitoring, and responses to altitude struggles shortly after takeoff.
