WPR26FA329

On September 5, 2026, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5, N6510L, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fresno, California. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Surveillance video showed that the pilot and passengers boarded the airplane at the airplane owner’s residence at Sierra Sky Park Airport (E79), Fresno, California, and shortly after taxied to the approach end of runway 30. Another video showed the airplane begin its takeoff roll and subsequently abort the takeoff about halfway down the runway. The airplane continued down the runway, turned around at the departure end and taxied back to the runway approach end. At this time, the pilot texted the owner about a radio problem she was experiencing. About two minutes later the pilot taxied the airplane to the owner’s residence, which was located on the airport. According to text messages, the owner contacted a mechanic to troubleshoot the radio issue and a few minutes later the mechanic approached the airplane after it had been shut down. Shortly after, the airplane was observed taxiing towards the runway. According to witnesses located near the runway, the airplane taxied to the approach end of runway 30 and then started its takeoff roll. The airplane lifted off the runway about 1,000 ft from the departure end and pitched up hard into a nose-high attitude. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded weak and that there were no misfires or sputtering. The airplane continued down the runway at about 30 ft above ground level (agl). Surveillance video showed the airplane maintain a nose-high attitude about 30 ft agl as it overflew the remaining runway. A video, which captured the airplane further down the runway, showed it about 40 ft agl as it flew out of view in a nose-high attitude. The accident site was located in a washout at the top of sloping terrain, near impacted trees, about 1,000 ft northwest from the departure end of runway 30. The first identified point of contact was a large branch near the top of a 40 ft tree that had recently been topped to comply with FAA clearance regulations for the airport. Broken limbs and branches were spread out at the base of the impacted trees. The airplane came to rest upright in a washout near the impacted trees and was positioned on a magnetic heading of about 285°. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane and was found uphill in the washout near the impacted trees. The airplane was mostly consumed by postimpact fire. About an acre of surrounding terrain was burned by the fire. The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.