Chase Day Obituary PROVO, Utah — The aviation community, family, friends, and loved ones are mourning the tragic death of Chase Day, a 25-year-old aspiring commercial pilot who died after a small aircraft crashed into Utah Lake near Utah Lake State Park on August 7, 2026.

Day’s death has left his family devastated as they grieve the loss of a young man who, according to those closest to him, had a bright future ahead and was working toward a career in aviation.

His family described his death as unexpected and heartbreaking, emphasizing that Chase had much of his life still ahead of him.

Chase Day Dies Following Utah Lake Plane Crash

According to information shared by family members and friends, Day had recently earned his private pilot’s license and was pursuing his larger goal of becoming a commercial pilot.

On the afternoon of August 7, a Cessna 172S departed from Provo Airport with a female pilot and Chase aboard as a passenger.

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft went down in Utah Lake.

The crash triggered an emergency response as authorities and rescue personnel worked to assist those aboard the aircraft.

The female pilot survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Day, however, did not survive.

His death has left his family, friends, and everyone who knew him trying to process the loss of a young man whose life was closely connected to his passion for aviation.

Pilot’s Actions Assisted Rescue Effort

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, but authorities have provided some information about the moments surrounding the incident.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said the pilot was able to bring the aircraft into shallower water before it went down.

That decision reportedly aided the rescue effort and contributed to the ability of responders to reach those involved.

The female pilot survived and received medical treatment for injuries described as non-life-threatening.

The circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s loss of control and subsequent crash have not yet been fully established.

Officials continue to investigate what happened.

Chase Was Pursuing a Dream of Becoming a Commercial Pilot

Aviation was more than a hobby for Chase Day.

According to his family and friends, flying represented a significant personal goal and an important part of his future plans.

Day had recently earned his private pilot’s license and was working toward becoming a commercial pilot.

For those who knew him, that ambition reflected his determination and willingness to work toward long-term goals.

His family and friends have remembered him as someone who was passionate about aviation and excited about the future he was building.

His death is therefore especially painful because it occurred while he was pursuing a dream that meant so much to him.

Remembered for His Kindness and Intelligence

Beyond his interest in flying, Chase was remembered for the qualities that made him special to his family and friends.

Those who knew him described him as hard-working, kind, sensitive, and intelligent.

He was also known for having a quick wit and an ability to make people around him laugh.

For his loved ones, these personal qualities are now among the memories they are holding onto as they grieve.

While aviation was an important part of Chase’s life, it was not the only thing that defined him.

His relationships with his family and friends were equally important, and those close to him have emphasized the warmth and personality he brought into their lives.

A Beloved Uncle and Family Member

Chase’s family has also remembered him for the simple moments that made him happy.

He particularly enjoyed being an uncle and spending time with his family.

He loved watching Star Wars, another interest that gave him opportunities to share time and experiences with the people close to him.

Family members also remembered his competitive side during board games, where he was known for making sure everyone followed the rules.

These small memories have taken on new significance following his death.

For his family, they are reminders of Chase as a person — not simply as a young pilot whose life ended in a tragic accident.

Family Grieves Unexpected Loss

Chase’s mother, Sonia Bunker Day, expressed the depth of the family’s grief in a message shared following his death.

She described the family’s heartbreak and asked others to pray for them as they face life without Chase.

The loss has been particularly difficult because of his age and the circumstances surrounding his death.

At 25, Chase was still building his future and pursuing goals that were important to him.

His family and friends are now left to mourn not only the person they lost but also the future experiences and milestones they expected to share with him.

Friends Share Tributes

Family friends have also come forward to remember Chase.

Tributes have described him as an incredible person and highlighted his passion for aviation and his dream of becoming a pilot.

Those messages reflect the impression he made on people around him.

For friends who knew him personally, his death represents the loss of someone whose humor, kindness, intelligence, and ambition made him memorable.

The tributes being shared are helping preserve those memories during a difficult period for his family.

Support for the Day Family

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Ryan Bunker was established to support Chase’s family following his death.

According to information shared about the fundraiser, the effort is intended to help with funeral expenses as well as costs associated with Chase’s flight training and student loans.

For families facing an unexpected death, the financial consequences can add another layer of difficulty to an already painful situation.

The fundraising effort provides an opportunity for friends, relatives, and others who wish to help the family during this challenging time.

Crash Investigation Underway

The circumstances surrounding the Utah Lake crash remain under investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the incident.

Officials have not yet released a confirmed cause of the crash.

Investigators will work to determine what happened during the aircraft’s flight, what factors may have contributed to the crash, and why the plane went down shortly after departing Provo Airport.

Until that investigation is completed, there are unanswered questions surrounding the incident.

Further information may be released as investigators continue their work.

A Young Life Cut Short

Chase Day was only 25 years old.

For those who loved him, the tragedy is made even more difficult by the knowledge that he was actively working toward his future.

He had earned his private pilot’s license and was pursuing his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

His family and friends will now remember the ambition that drove him, along with the personal qualities that made him important to so many people.

His life was much more than the circumstances of his death.

It was a life defined by family, friendships, humor, personal interests, hard work, and dreams.

Remembering Chase Day

As the investigation continues, Chase’s loved ones are focused on remembering the person he was.

His parents, Mike and Sonia, his brothers, extended family members, and friends are now facing the painful task of moving forward without him.

They will remember his kindness and sensitivity, his intelligence and work ethic, his sense of humor, and his passion for flying.

They will also remember the everyday moments — watching movies, playing board games, spending time with family, and enjoying his role as an uncle.

Those memories will remain part of Chase’s legacy.

Funeral and Memorial Information

Details regarding Chase Day’s funeral and memorial services were not fully provided in the available information.

His family and loved ones may release additional information as arrangements are finalized.

Those wishing to support the family are encouraged to look for verified announcements and information shared by Chase’s loved ones.

The family has also asked for prayers and support as they navigate the difficult days ahead.

A Legacy of Family, Kindness and Dreams

Chase Day leaves behind a legacy built around the people he loved and the dreams he worked to achieve.

His passion for aviation reflected a determination to build a meaningful future, while his relationships with family and friends demonstrated the importance he placed on the people closest to him.

He was remembered as kind, hard-working, intelligent, sensitive, and funny — qualities that will remain part of how those who knew him remember his life.

His dream of becoming a commercial pilot was still in progress when his life was tragically cut short.

Yet that dream remains an important part of his story.

Chase Day, 25, will be remembered not only for the tragic circumstances of his death but for the life he lived, the family he loved, the friends he valued, and the dream of flying that inspired him.

As his loved ones mourn, their memories of Chase will continue to provide a connection to the young man they knew and loved.

His family is asking for prayers and support during this difficult time.

May Chase Day be remembered for his kindness, his humor, his love of family, his passion for aviation, and the dreams he was working so hard to achieve.