September 6, 2026 – Fresno County Sheriff’s Office officials report that at around 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, sheriff’s deputies, Fresno firefighters and officers with Fresno Police responded to a report of a plane crash. They arrived on the 7300 block of N. Blythe Ave. and discovered a fixed wing single-engine airplane on fire atop the bluff of the San Joaquin River. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading onto the properties of nearby homes.

There were four people onboard the plane. First responders helped to transport two adults to the hospital, where they are listed in critical condition. Two children were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The names, ages and relationships of the victims are unknown right now.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending an investigator to the scene.

The sheriff’s office is holding a safety perimeter tonight and tomorrow to prevent the public from accessing the crash scene and to preserve it for investigators.

Source & photos: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office