Sierra Sky Park community mourns loss of family in deadly plane crash
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Residents of Sierra Sky Park, a fly-in community in northwest Fresno known for its aviation-centered design, are mourning what community members describe as one of the worst tragedies in the neighborhood's history following a plane crash that killed four members of a local family. Sierra Sky Park features planes parked in driveways, extra-wide streets, and a runway that runs through the middle of the neighborhood. Established by Dorris and Bill Smilie in 1946, the community was the world's first of its kind and was originally surrounded by agricultural land. "It's very rare where you have an airport in the neighborhood and community," said Mike Karbassi, Fresno Councilmember. Karbassi said the neighborhood has existed for decades and became surrounded as the city expanded. "The Sierra Skypark has been here for such a long time. The city didn't even have any property in this area; the city grew and surrounded the sky park, but we do coexist with them," Karbassi said.
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In 2016, two people were killed when, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, a plane made an "abnormally steep takeoff climb followed by loss of control." In 2020, a single-engine aircraft overturned in the westbound lanes of Herndon Avenue. 1 dead โ Danna Eady
