A small plane reportedly crashed on Saturday afternoon at the San Joaquin River embankment in Fresno.
The location of the plane crash stretches from Milburn to Blythe at Sierra Sky Park Airport.
Fresno Fire spokesperson Josh Sellers said two people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to the hospital in critical condition. In an update later Saturday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said two children were killed.
Sellers said the crash happened around 1:45 p.m.
First responders arrived to find a fixed wing single-engine aircraft had crashed off of the runway in the river bottom area of the San Joaquin River.
It is unknown if the plane was departing or arriving.
The crash caused a fire that burned 5 acres.
The Federal Aviation Agency and that National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the scene to conduct investigations, Sellers said.
Sheriff spokesperson Tony Botti said deputies are holding a safety perimeter Saturday night and Sunday to prevent the public from accessing the crash scene and to preserve it for investigators.
Firefighters extinguished a fire likely caused by a small airplane that crashed. Anthony Galaviz agalaviz@fresnobee.com 
The aftermath of a plane crash at 7300 block of N. Blythe Avenue. Two children were killed and two others were seriously injured. Tony Botti Fresno County Sheriff’s Office 
The aftermath of a plane crash at 7300 block of N. Blythe Avenue. Two children were killed and two others were seriously injured. Tony Botti Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
This story was originally published September 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM.
The Fresno Bee
Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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