A California father who was critically injured in a plane crash that killed his wife and two of their children has died from his injuries.
Craig Eady, 44, of Auberry, died at the hospital on Monday, Sept. 7, two days after the small plane crashed near Sierra Sky Park Airport in northwest Fresno, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Craig had been aboard the single-engine aircraft with his wife, 41-year-old Danna Eady, and their two sons when the plane went down around 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Authorities said firefighters and officers rushed to the 7300 block of North Blythe Avenue, where they found the fixed-wing aircraft on fire near the bluff overlooking the San Joaquin River.
Fire crews managed to extinguish the flames and keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes.
Craig and Danna were both transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Danna later died from her injuries, while the couple’s two sons were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the children.
Craig remained hospitalized after the crash but died Monday, bringing the death toll to four.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the aircraft was a Grumman American Aviation Corp. AA-5 and that it “impacted terrain shortly after takeoff” from Sierra Sky Park.
Danna was a certified flight instructor who worked with students in Reedley College’s Flight Science Department.
Following her death, Reedley College canceled its flight science classes for Tuesday, Sept. 8, and offered counseling services to students affected by the tragedy.
Friends remembered Danna as someone who loved flying and adventure.
“Danna was always just up for an adventure,” fellow flight instructor Nick Wilcox told ABC 7.
“She loved flying. She died doing what she loved. She’s probably on another adventure because that’s the kind of person she was.”
The tragedy has also left the family’s two older children grieving the loss of their parents and siblings.
A fundraiser created to support them has already raised nearly $65,000.
The NTSB has opened an investigation into what caused the crash.
Investigators recovered several electronic devices from the plane, which are being sent to NTSB headquarters for further analysis.
The agency also obtained multiple witness videos and interviewed people who saw the crash.
The wreckage has since been moved to a secure facility, where investigators will continue examining it for clues.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash.
