Photo of Reedley College flight instructor Danna Eady, 41, taken during a pinning ceremony on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Eady was killed in plane crash on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
Reedley College
The woman killed in a triple-fatal airplane crash in Fresno was a flight instructor at a local junior college.
Danna Eady of Auberry was one of four people in a smalll aircraft that crashed near the runway at Sierra Sky Park Airport at Herndon and Milburn avenues around 2 p.m. Saturday.
The 41-year-old had been a flight instructor at Reedley College since August 2025.
Two children aboard the plane were pronounced dead at the scene. They had not been identified as of Sunday afternoon.
Eady and a man were taken to the hospital. Eady later died from her injuries. The man remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Reedley College on Sunday said all flight science classes will be canceled Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday on Monday. Counseling will be available to students and staff.
“Our flight science program is a very close group, and we will do everything we can to give them all the resources and time they need to grieve,” Reedley College President Jerry Buckley said in a news release.
“Danna was an incredible instructor and a mentor to all of our flight science students, especially to the five young women who are currently in our program and consider her to be a role model and inspiration to fulfill their dreams of becoming pilots.
“Danna was a valued member of our Flight Science Department and a tremendous certified flight instructor. We will miss her greatly.”
Reedley College said the fatal incident “did not take place in one of our aircraft, nor did it involve any of our students.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
On her LinkedIn profile, Eady said she was the founder and owner of Meraki Aviation, a full-service aviation company that provides aircraft rentals and flight instruction.
Eady wrote that she served as vice president of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 376, where she organized fly-ins and fundraisers, led aviation outreach efforts and co-directed a youth-led Van’s RV-12 aircraft build program.
“I’ve created aviation curriculum for local schools to inspire the next generation of pilots and engineers. I also volunteer as a Young Eagles Rally pilot and Angel Flight pilot, providing discovery flights and charitable air transport for patients in need,” she wrote.
“I’m driven by a passion for education, service and expanding access to aviation.”
Donations are being accepted to help Eady’s family.
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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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