California Flight Instructor Killed in Plane Crash That May Have Sparked Canyon Fire

Family members have identified one of the victims as Ramzi Al-Shurman, a 28-year-old newly graduated flight instructor who was days away from beginning a job as a private pilot.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 5/11/2026, 11:49:01 PM EDT

California Flight Instructor Killed in Plane Crash That May Have Sparked Canyon Fire — A law enforcement officer puts up police tape at a crime scene in an udated file photograph. (Samantha Laurey/AFP via Getty Images)

A Southern California flight instructor and father of three was killed in a plane crash near Ridgecrest that authorities say may have ignited a fast-moving wildfire now known as the Canyon Fire.

The crash occurred May 7 on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the El Paso Mountains, southwest of Ridgecrest. Officials with the BLM told local news outlet Bakersfieldnow that they first received reports of a commercial aircraft crash around 12:15 p.m., and the incident sparked a fire with two confirmed fatalities.

A spokesperson for the agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NTD News.

Family members have identified one of the victims as Ramzi Al-Shurman, a 28-year-old newly graduated flight instructor who was days away from beginning a job as a private pilot. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support his wife, Nadeen, and their three children.

“His sudden passing has left Nadeen and her three children facing unimaginable heartbreak and uncertainty,” the fundraiser states.

The online fundraiser describes the financial strain now facing Ramzi’s family, noting that Nadeen has become the sole provider for their children. “Every contribution will help Nadeen manage regular everyday expenses as she works to create stability for her family during this incredibly difficult time,” the fundraiser states.

Over $76,000 of a $100,000 goal has been raised.

Plane Wreckage A Possible Ignition Source

Fire officials say the blaze, dubbed the Canyon Fire, started around 3:54 p.m. on May 7 near the junction of Highways 14 and 178, according to Cal Fire. As of May 10, the fire had burned 2,278 acres in Kern County and was 98 percent contained. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no incident management team has been assigned.

Additionally, investigators are examining whether the plane wreckage may have been the ignition source, though authorities have not confirmed an official cause. A spokesperson for the Kern County Fire Department did not return a request for comment from NTD News prior to publication. Cal Fire directed NTD to contact the Bureau of Land Management which is the lead agency on the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told NTD that it's working on a response with what details are available.

Flight tracking and registration data identify the plane as a 2006 Cessna 182T with tail number N227TF, registered to Top Flight Aviation of Corona. Data from Flight Aware place the plane’s last recorded positions near the reported ignition area.

This follows a private plane crash on April 30 when five members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club, including the pilot, were killed when the plane crashed in a wooded area near Wimberley, Texas.

The plane left Amarillo around 9 p.m. and was scheduled to land in New Braunfels, according to FlightAware data. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said the plane appeared to be traveling at high speed before impact, with no indication of a midair collision. Witnesses described a loud, ground-shaking crash. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.