Merced County, CA – On the evening of Tuesday, August 26, 2025, a single-engine plane crashed, killing the aircraft’s pilot, according to KCRA.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office reports that the crash took place around 7:00 PM near farmland just south of Los Banos.
Deputies arrived at the scene and located the wreckage of a small private plane. They confirmed that one person had died inside the aircraft. Authorities said they did not find evidence of additional passengers and believe the pilot was the only person on board.
Officials explained that the plane departed earlier in the day from a small airport near San Jose. Investigators are now working to identify the pilot and notify next of kin before releasing the victim’s name publicly.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration opened a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. Both agencies plan to examine the plane’s maintenance records, review weather conditions at the time of the flight, and interview witnesses who may have seen or heard the aircraft before it went down.
Authorities have not yet released details about the type of aircraft or the circumstances leading up to the impact.
Wrongful Death & Aircraft Accidents
Just like accidents involving motor vehicles, victims of aircraft accidents and their affected loved ones can pursue compensation for damages if it is found that someone else’s negligence contributed to their accidental death or injury. A Wrongful Death claim can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of financial support for dependents of the deceased.
Because California Law follows the legal principle of Comparative Negligence, even if the pilot shared responsibility in the accident, others may share a portion of the fault. A potential settlement may be decreased accordingly.
California Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
