FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR MUM AND HER TWO SONS, AGED 10 AND 13, DIE IN HORROR PLANE CRASH — DAD FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE

A mother who dreamed of becoming a commercial airline pilot took to the skies with her family.

Minutes later, a devastating plane crash would leave three members of the family dead — and a father fighting for his life in hospital.

Danna Eady, 41, a certified flight instructor, and her two young sons, Pavel, 10, and Remus, 13, died after the small aircraft she was piloting crashed near Sierra Sky Park Airport in Fresno, California. 

SHE WAS DOING WHAT SHE LOVED

The crash happened Saturday afternoon, September 5, as Danna was flying a Grumman American AA-5 aircraft near the airport.

Danna was an experienced flight instructor who had dreamed of becoming a commercial airline pilot.

Friends and fellow instructors remembered her as adventurous, outgoing and deeply passionate about aviation.

She was in the cockpit doing what she loved when the aircraft went down. 

Her husband, Craig, and their two youngest sons were also aboard.

The aircraft crashed just off the runway near the San Joaquin River and caught fire.

THREE MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY WERE LOST

Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the crash.

Danna and Craig were found outside the aircraft with severe injuries and were taken to hospital.

But Danna later died from her injuries.

The family subsequently confirmed that their two young sons had also died after the aircraft caught fire. 

Pavel was just 10 years old.

His brother Remus was 13.

The boys were among Danna and Craig’s four children. Their older siblings, Lucien, 17, and Felicity, 18, are now mourning the loss of their mother and their two younger brothers. 

DAD SURVIVED — BUT FACES A LONG ROAD AHEAD

Craig survived the crash but suffered severe injuries, including third-degree burns.

He remains hospitalized and is expected to face a long recovery involving further medical treatment, surgeries and rehabilitation. 

The family has since received an outpouring of support, with a fundraising effort launched to help with Craig’s medical expenses and the family’s needs following the devastating loss. 

“SHE LOVED FLYING”

For those who knew Danna through the aviation community, the loss has been especially painful.

Longtime friend and fellow flight instructor Nick Wilcox described her as someone who was always ready for an adventure.

He said she loved flying and died doing something she was passionate about.

Now, that passion has become part of the memories her friends and family are holding onto. 

WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH?

That question remains unanswered.

The aircraft crashed shortly after the flight began, but authorities have not established a cause.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, and investigators will work to determine what happened in the moments before the aircraft went down. 

For now, a family is left facing an unimaginable loss.

A mother who dreamed of flying professionally.

A 10-year-old boy.

A 13-year-old boy.

And a father who survived — but now faces the painful reality of recovering without his wife and two youngest sons.

Danna took off doing what she loved. She never got to bring her family home.