Pilot killed in Merced County plane crash identified by authorities
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pilot Mahesh Chigurupati died in a solo plane crash near Los Banos on Aug. 26.
- The Cessna 172S departed Santa Clara and crashed near Los Banos at about 7 p.m.
- NTSB continues to investigate crash data, aircraft history, and flight conditions.
The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the pilot of a deadly plane crash near Los Banos earlier this week.
Authorities said the pilot, Mahesh Chigurupati, 31, of Santa Clara, was the only person aboard the airplane when it crashed into a field in the area of Canyon Road and Interstate 5 near Los Banos.
The National Transportation Safety Board said preliminary information indicates the Cessna 172S airplane took off from Reid-Hillview County Airport in Santa Clara County on Aug. 26 at about 5:19 p.m., with the same airport indicated as the flight’s destination.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crash occurred at about 7 p.m. on Aug. 26, roughly five miles south of the Los Banos Municipal Airport. According to the NTSB, the size of the airplane crash scene and debris field covered an area of approximately 80 feet by 80 feet.
The NTSB said the investigation, which will look at various information including flight tracking data, airplane maintenance records, the pilot’s license and experience, as well as weather conditions and any surveillance video and air traffic control communications remains ongoing.
Authorities said anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445, the Federal Aviation Administration at 866-835-5322 or the National Transportation Safety Board at 844-373-9922.
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM.