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California flight instructor Danna Eady and two sons killed in Fresno plane crash
New York Post ^ | September 6, 2026 | Marina Pena

Posted on 09/07/2026 11:28:14 AM PDT by Angelino97

A California woman and her two sons have died in a horrific plane crash that severely injured her husband, The Post has learned.

Danna Eady, 41, a flight instructor from Auberry, was killed along with her boys Pavel, 10, and Remus, 13, when their aircraft went down on a hilltop near Sierra Sky Park airport in Fresno on Saturday.

Her husband Craig, who was also on the plane, survived but suffered severe burns and extensive injuries, friends said. Danna is also survived by her other children Lucien, 17 and Felicity, 18...

Nick Wilcox, who owns the Soar Paso flight school in Paso Robles, described Eady as a dear friend and fellow flight instructor who had flown with him numerous times and had even taken his daughter flying.

He told The Post: “She was a very special soul.”

The family was on their way to an airshow, Wilcox said, when their plane crashed.

Wilcox said Danna was deeply involved in the Fresno-area aviation community, where she worked as a flight instructor at Reedley College and served as president of the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter.

Her impact was evident after the crash, he said, by numerous current and former students wishing her well. “She was a very large presence in the Fresno flying community,” Wilcox said.

But beyond aviation, Wilcox remembered Danna for her adventurous and outgoing personality. He described her as “bubbly, outgoing, a free spirit” who loved being barefoot, eating ice cream, traveling and having new experiences.

Flying was Danna’s passion, Wilcox said. Although she had only become a pilot in recent years, Wilcox said she quickly accumulated thousands of flight hours and earned numerous ratings.

“Her dream was to fly,” Wilcox said. “She died doing what she absolutely loved.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


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KEYWORDS: aviation
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She was a flight instructor?
1 posted on 09/07/2026 11:28:14 AM PDT by Angelino97
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To: Angelino97

Her impact was evident after the crash...

I bet.........


2 posted on 09/07/2026 11:31:49 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: Inyo-Mono

Was that necessary? It is a tragedy for the family not joke fodder .


4 posted on 09/07/2026 11:35:26 AM PDT by pfflier
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To: Angelino97

What is it with flight instructors? We just had a flight instructor and passenger?learner die here near our small town.


5 posted on 09/07/2026 11:35:53 AM PDT by goodnesswins (Most Congress Critters should be referred to as what they are....LOOTERS)
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To: goodnesswins

If you fly a lot, you have a higher chance of something going wrong.


6 posted on 09/07/2026 11:45:38 AM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: Angelino97
Couple of dumb quetions:

What caused the crash? Pilot error? Mechanical failure?

Who was actually at the controls?

7 posted on 09/07/2026 11:49:16 AM PDT by ZOOKER
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To: Steely Tom

High hours increase the chance of things going wrong in a very dangerous hobby. Complacency is also a problem.


8 posted on 09/07/2026 11:49:53 AM PDT by caltaxed (ake)
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To: ZOOKER

“ Couple of dumb quetions:
What caused the crash? Pilot error? Mechanical failure?

Who was actually at the controls?”
*********************************

Questions that will be answered after the National Transportation Safety Board’s very thorough investigation.


9 posted on 09/07/2026 11:52:44 AM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX)
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To: Angelino97

“There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots”


10 posted on 09/07/2026 11:53:23 AM PDT by shoff (Vote Democrat it beats thinking!)
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To: Red Badger

Flying was Danna’s passion, Wilcox said. Although she had only become a pilot in recent years,......


Prayers up for this entire family.

I didn’t see what type of aircraft they were in.


11 posted on 09/07/2026 11:54:51 AM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: goodnesswins
What is it with flight instructors? We just had a flight instructor and passenger?learner die here near our small town.

In the race to train pilots needed because of the shortages in the industry, flight instructors are at their limits in flying hours and number of students. And it's only getting worse.

12 posted on 09/07/2026 11:58:50 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: Angelino97

Auberry. I use to cruise out there and get lunch at the Foster Freeze. Nice little place in the foothills on the way to the mountains. Sad situation.


13 posted on 09/07/2026 12:03:59 PM PDT by Organic Panic ( )
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To: Inyo-Mono

She died in the hospital.


14 posted on 09/07/2026 12:09:14 PM PDT by JustRetired
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: Jane Long

Grumman AA-5. I used to fly the AA-5B “Tiger”. It was my favorite plane to fly. Pretty sporty compared to others I flew.


16 posted on 09/07/2026 12:15:04 PM PDT by Rio
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To: Angelino97
“ Although she had only become a pilot in recent years.”

How many years is recent? I would want a flight instructor with a minimum 10 years as a pilot.

17 posted on 09/07/2026 12:26:21 PM PDT by circlecity
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To: Angelino97

May the LORD have mercy on her, her deceased children, and her whole family; may her husband recover and heal.


18 posted on 09/07/2026 12:33:24 PM PDT by af_vet_1981 ( The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: af_vet_1981

Amen.


19 posted on 09/07/2026 12:42:27 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Rio

A four seater.

God rest their souls and prayers for her hubby.


20 posted on 09/07/2026 12:53:53 PM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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