A tragic aviation accident occurred on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2025, when a single-engine Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP crashed into a field near Los Banos, California, resulting in the death of the pilot. The aircraft had departed from San Jose-Reid-Hillview Airport earlier that day and was en route to Los Banos when the incident took place.
According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 7:00 PM, approximately 200 yards east of Interstate 5, near Pole Line Road and Canyon Road. Deputies responded promptly to the scene and confirmed that the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and had sustained fatal injuries.
The pilot had communicated distress indicating issues with the flight controls and the inability to maintain a straight flight path. The aircraft reportedly circled the area for nearly three hours before crashing. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have initiated a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are reviewing flight track data, air traffic control communications, and any available surveillance footage. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
This incident marks a rare fatal airplane accident in Merced County. Authorities are urging anyone with information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
