Craig Eady, 44, and Danna Eady, 41, of Auberry are pictured with their family. The couple and two of their young sons died in the September 2026 plane crash near Sierra Sky Park. Courtesy of SupportNow
Key takeaways
— The Grumman AA-5 initially aborted a takeoff about halfway down runway 30, according to surveillance video reviewed by the NTSB.
— The pilot then texted the airplane owner about a radio problem, and a mechanic approached the aircraft after it returned to the owner’s residence.
— On the subsequent takeoff, witnesses said the plane pitched into a nose-high attitude and the engine sounded weak, without misfiring or sputtering.
— The plane remained about 30 to 40 feet above ground level beyond the runway before crashing into trees roughly 1,000 feet northwest of the runway’s departure end.
— The preliminary report does not identify a probable cause and says its information is subject to change.
A plane that crashed near Fresno’s Sierra Sky Park and killed an Auberry family of four had aborted an earlier takeoff, returned because of a reported radio problem and then struggled to gain altitude during a subsequent departure, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Sept. 5 crash killed pilot Danna Eady, 41, her husband, Craig Eady, 44, and two of their young sons, based on information from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and a family fundraiser.
The newly released NTSB report offers the most detailed official account yet of the events immediately preceding the crash. It does not determine a probable cause, and the agency cautions that the information is preliminary and subject to change.
What happened before the crash
Surveillance video showed the pilot and passengers boarding the Grumman AA-5 at the airplane owner’s residence at Sierra Sky Park Airport before taxiing to runway 30, according to the NTSB.
The plane began its takeoff roll but aborted the attempt about halfway down the runway. It continued to the departure end, turned around and taxied back.
The pilot then texted the airplane owner about a radio problem, according to the report. About two minutes later, the plane returned to the owner’s residence. The owner contacted a mechanic to troubleshoot the issue, and a mechanic approached the aircraft after it had been shut down.
Shortly afterward, the plane taxied back toward the runway.
Witnesses told investigators the plane lifted off about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 30 and “pitched up hard” into a nose-high attitude.
Witnesses also reported that the engine sounded weak but did not misfire or sputter. The aircraft continued at roughly 30 feet above ground level while maintaining the nose-high attitude, according to surveillance video. Another video showed it about 40 feet above ground before it flew out of view.
What investigators found
The crash site was in a washout at the top of sloping terrain approximately 1,000 feet northwest of the departure end of runway 30.
Investigators identified the first point of contact as a large branch near the top of a 40-foot tree. Broken branches and limbs were found around the impacted trees.
The aircraft came to rest upright and was mostly consumed by a post-impact fire, which burned about an acre. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a secured facility for further examination.
The NTSB identified the aircraft as a Grumman American Aviation Corp. AA-5, registration N6510L, operated by Purpose Flight Inc. The personal flight was bound for Atwater. Weather conditions at the accident site were listed as visual meteorological conditions.
Family had deep ties to local aviation
Eady was an entrepreneur and flight instructor active in the Central Valley aviation community, according to previous Business Journal reporting.
She had served as a flight instructor in Reedley College’s flight science department since August 2025 and was qualified to teach in the electric aircraft used in the college’s flight program.
Eady also founded Meraki Aviation, an aircraft rental and instruction business in Fresno, and was president of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 376 at Sierra Sky Park.
Her community involvement included serving as a volunteer pilot with the EAA’s Young Eagles program and Angel Flight, according to information previously reviewed by the Business Journal.
Craig Eady initially survived the crash and was hospitalized in critical condition. Danna Eady died after being transported to Community Regional Medical Center, while the couple’s two young sons were pronounced dead at the scene, according to previous reporting. Craig Eady died Sept. 7.
The couple are survived by an older son and daughter. A SupportNow fundraiser established for the family has raised $116,680 toward a $250,000 goal
The NTSB investigation remains ongoing, with the wreckage secured for further examination.
Related story: Auberry entrepreneur, flight instructor killed in plane crash near San Joaquin River