FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the deadly plane crash in Northwest Fresno on September 5 that killed 4 members of the Eady family: Danna, who piloted the aircraft, her husband Craig, and two of their youngest sons.
According to the report, surveillance video shows Danna and the other 3 passengers boarding a Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 airplane at the owner’s home located at the Sierra Sky Park Airport.
The plane began its takeoff and aborted halfway down the runway. The airplane turned around at the end of the runway and went back to the owner’s home.
Text messages between Danna and the owner show that she was experiencing a radio problem. According to additional messages, the plane’s owner contacted a mechanic to troubleshoot the radio issue.
A few minutes later, the mechanic arrived and looked at the plane shortly before the airplane was seen taxiing toward the runway for the second time.
According to witnesses, the engine sounded weak but did not misfire or sputter.
The report goes on to say that the airplane continued down the runway with a “nose-high attitude” 30 to 40 feet above ground.
Additional surveillance video shows the plane further down the runway before it flew out of view of the camera.
NTSB says the crash happened approximately 1000 feet northwest of the end of the runway at the top of a slope near trees.
The plane was mostly destroyed by fire that started after it crashed, which burned about one acre around the crash site.
The wreckage was taken to a secure facility for further investigation.
Emergency crews found Danna and Craig Eady outside of the wreckage with severe injuries, while the couple’s sons were later found dead at the scene.
Danna died on September 5 in the evening from injuries suffered in the crash.
Craig had suffered severe burn wounds and died two days later, on September 7, surrounded by family, including his oldest son and daughter.
The two surviving children were not on the plane at the time of the crash.
Friends and family set up a support campaign to help with expenses for the Eady family.
