Private Jet Gear Failure Halts Operations at San Diego Airport

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 17, 2025 - San Diego International Airport halted all flights Wednesday evening after the front landing gear of a private Cessna Citation X collapsed during landing, obstructing the airport’s only runway and stranding dozens of aircraft.

Nut Graf: The unscheduled ground stop at Southern California’s busiest airport underscores vulnerabilities in single-runway operations and disrupted travel for over 100 flights, highlighting the critical impact of even minor mechanical failures on passenger and cargo movements.

Runway Blocked After Gear Collapses

At approximately 6:00 PM local time, a Cessna Citation X (N769XJ) arriving from Monterey experienced a front landing gear collapse as it touched down on Runway 27. The aircraft came to rest crosswise on the pavement, prompting smoke reports but no injuries to its two crew members.

Emergency Response and Flight Disruptions

Emergency crews from San Diego Fire-Rescue and Signature Aviation arrived within minutes, securing the scene and assessing the disabled jet. The Federal Aviation Administration immediately declared a ground stop, preventing all arrivals and departures.

• More than 100 scheduled flights were delayed, with several inbound aircraft diverted to Los Angeles, Orange County and Tijuana airports.
• Ground crews continue to work through the night to remove the stricken jet and inspect runway integrity.
• The airport’s online flight status portal remained offline, leaving many travelers uncertain of revised schedules.

Impact on Travelers and Operations

Passengers on diverted flights faced extended ground time and rebooking challenges. Airport authorities arranged bus transfers to alternative airports and set up a temporary information center in Terminal 2. Southwest Airlines also reported suspending two daily flights between San Jose and San Diego in response to ongoing congestion.

Underlying Concerns for Single-Runway Airports

San Diego International operates with a single active runway, meaning any obstruction effectively shuts down all traffic. While mechanical failures are rare, aviation safety experts warn that redundancy measures and rapid-response plans are essential to minimize the ripple effects of such incidents.

Next Steps and Outlook

The Cessna Citation X is expected to be removed early Thursday after crane and tow preparations. The FAA and Signature Aviation have opened an investigation into the gear failure’s cause. Airport officials aim to reopen the runway by dawn, though they caution that residual delays and cancellations may persist into the morning schedule.