This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N618AM
- History of Flight:
On December 30, 2025, at about 1622 local time, a privately-registered Lancair Legacy, N618AM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Cherry Spring, Texas. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated from the Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas.
According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1547 LT, the airplane departed runway 32 at T82 and proceeded to an inflight cruising altitude of 3,200 ft. At 1556 LT, the airplane entered a 360 loop and proceeded north. At about 1605 LT, the airplane four 360 loops and formed a *leaf configuration* (see figure) and began climbing to 4,600 ft while travelling east. At 1615 LT, the airplane entered a right turn towards the southeast. The airplane was cruising at around 180 knots (groundspeed) up to this point of the flight. At 1617 LT, the airplane entered a 1000 feet per minute (fpm) climb to 5,900 ft. At 1620 LT, the airplane reached the mentioned altitude and had decelerated to about 94 knots (GS). At 1621:08, the airplane had descended to 5,200 ft, 163 knots GS, when it began a steep climb to an altitude 5,900 ft. At 1622:00, the airplane reached the crest of the climb and decelerated to 92 knots GS before it entered a rapid, final descent. This time, the airplane continued descending with average rates at over 10,000 feet per minute (fpm) and groundspeeds kept decaying up to the end of the track. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1622:27, the airplane was at 3475 ft, 17 knots groundspeed, and descending 9300 feet per minute (fpm).
Nothing else is known at this time. The airplane crashed in a wooded area and caught fire.
- Pilot Information:
Unknown
- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number L2K-320, was a high-performance, two-seat (side-by-side configuration under a canopy), single-engine in a tractor configuration, low-wing monoplane made of composite materials. It was powered by a Continental IO-550-A engine.
The stall speed for a Legacy with flaps down is about 65 mph (56 knots).
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
Weather conditions at three nearby airports were unremarkable.
(2) METARs:
METAR KAQO 302215Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/M13 A3041 RMK AO2
METAR KAQO 302235Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 15/M12 A3040 RMK AO2
METAR KAQO 302255Z AUTO 08004KT 10SM CLR 15/M12 A3039 RMK AO2
METAR KDZB 302215Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/M09 A3041 RMK AO2 T01481093
METAR KDZB 302235Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM CLR 15/M09 A3040 RMK AO2 T01461092
METAR KDZB 302255Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM CLR 15/M09 A3040 RMK AO2 T01451092
METAR KT82 302215Z AUTO VRB01KT 10SM CLR 15/M11 A3039 RMK AO2
METAR KT82 302235Z AUTO 12004KT 10SM CLR 15/M12 A3038 RMK AO2
METAR KT82 302255Z AUTO VRB02KT 10SM CLR 15/M12 A3038 RMK AO2
(3) Sun and Moon Data:
The sun’s position at the time of the accident was about 11° over the horizon on an azimuth of 235° SW, and the the Moon was 31 degrees over the horizon on an azimuth of 81° E. The official moonrise occurred at 1405 LT. The official sunset occurred at 1745 LT.
(4) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 1148 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - Freezing temperatures likely (60 to 90% chance) tonight for mainly low-lying areas east of US-83. - Cool and dry with temperatures in the mid 40s to low 50s around midnight for New Year`s. - Warmer temperatures to start 2026 with dry weather continuing. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Wednesday night) Issued at 1147 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025 Clear skies are spreading across our region as the dry wake of an upper-level trough moves over the area. Calm winds tonight under surface high pressure combined with this dryness will allow temperatures to cool more substantially tonight than previous nights. Lows early Thursday morning are projected to fall into the 30s regionwide. Freezes are anticipated especially for low-lying areas as the coolest air oozes into river valleys and low-lying plains, with better chances generally east of US-83. The likelihood of a freeze from the latest NBM ranges from 60% to near 90% for these favored spots. A few patchy areas may briefly dip into the upper 20s just before sunrise. A light but warmer southerly wind starts to return for New Year`s Eve as the cold airmass begins to vacate the area. Highs in the mid to upper 60s are forecast during the day under sunny skies. When the clock hits midnight and 2026 arrives, temperatures are forecast to be cool in the mid 40s to low 50s, decreasing into the upper 30s to low 40s by sunrise on New Year`s Day. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday through next Tuesday) Issued at 1147 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025 By late week, an upper-level ridge becomes established over the Central US, and this ridging is represented in all ensemble clusters through at least the weekend. This will usher in a return of unseasonably warm temperatures, with the chance of above- average temperatures exceeding 80 percent. Highs New Year`s Day are forecast to be in the 70s. Warm southwest flow may be enhanced Friday as a weak shortwave within the broader ridging passes to our north, resulting in forecast highs in the low to mid 80s regionwide. This is in daily record high territory for Austin and San Antonio, with the latest probabilistic national blend showing 60 to 90 percent probabilities for daily records being set for those sites on Friday. A weak front associated with the aforementioned low-pressure system Friday night into Saturday may lower temperatures somewhat, but otherwise zonal flow and persistent ridging continuing aloft should support mostly steady temperatures this weekend into early next week with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s and lows in the mid 40s to mid 50s for most. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1147 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025 VFR flight conditions will persist through the TAF period. A mid- level cloud layer with decks around 7000 to 9000 feet this morning continues to erode from the north-northeast to south-southwest across South-Central Texas. Otherwise, expect mostly to completely clear skies throughout the period with only a few high wispy high level clouds at times. The winds remain light featuring speeds generally of around 7 kt or less. Directions at times will become variable but the overall trend is for directions to shift from out of the north to the southwest. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Austin Camp Mabry 35 70 45 75 / 0 0 0 0 Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport 29 68 40 74 / 0 0 0 0 New Braunfels Muni Airport 31 68 41 73 / 0 0 0 0 Burnet Muni Airport 32 67 41 74 / 0 0 0 0 Del Rio Intl Airport 37 68 43 75 / 0 0 0 0 Georgetown Muni Airport 31 68 42 74 / 0 0 0 0 Hondo Muni Airport 31 67 40 73 / 0 0 0 0 San Marcos Muni Airport 29 69 40 74 / 0 0 0 0 La Grange - Fayette Regional 30 68 40 74 / 0 0 0 0 San Antonio Intl Airport 34 67 44 73 / 0 0 0 0 Stinson Muni Airport 34 68 43 75 / 0 0 0 0 &&
- Additional Information:
None
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