Lancair Legacy, N618AM, fatal accident occurred on December 30, 2025, near Fredericksburg, Texas

• Location: Fredericksburg, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26FA071 
• Date & Time: December 30, 2025, 16:23 Local 
• Registration: N618AM 
• Aircraft: Lancair Legacy 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202228/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N618AM

On December 30, 2025, about 1623 central standard time, a Lancair Legacy RG airplane, N618AM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fredericksburg, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A preliminary review of ADS-B data showed that the pilot, who is also the airplane owner and builder, departed in the airplane at 1547 from runway 32 at the Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg Texas, for the local area flight. The airplane flew to the west near Harper, Texas, where a maneuver was performed. The airplane then flew to the northwest of Harper, where it performed several maneuvers. After the completion of the maneuvers, the airplane flew to the northeast near Hedwigs Hill, Texas, where it then turned toward the southeast. During the flight toward the southeast, the airplane flew over U.S. Highway 87, the airplane gradually climbed, and its airspeed gradually increased. Near the end of the available ADS-B data, the airplane began to descend, the airspeed decreased, and the ADS-B data terminated about 17.70 miles to the north of T82.

The airplane came to rest upright on a remote property, consisting of trees, brush, cactus, and rocks, used for cattle ranching. The area surrounding the accident site consisted of rolling rocky hills. The accident site had an elevation of about 1,720 ft above mean sea level. A postimpact fire consumed the composite airplane and the fire exceeded the planform of the airplane. The airplane was destroyed by the postimpact fire.

The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location. A thermal-damaged Garmin GPSMAP 396 unit was secured and transported to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory.

The experimental airplane was built from a kit by the pilot in 2009. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors IO-550-N(8) reciprocating engine and a Hartzell Propeller HC-J3YF1RF/F7391D-3 three-blade controllable pitch aluminum propeller.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate (with ratings for airplane single engine land, instrument airplane, and rotorcraft-helicopter), in addition to a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate for the accident airplane.

A preliminary review of meteorological data for the accident flight did not reveal the presence of any turbulence or low level wind shear.

Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, N2785Q, fatal accident occurred on December 24, 2025, near Rio Linda Airport (L36), Rio Linda, California

• Location: Rio Linda, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26FA069 
• Date & Time: December 24, 2025, 12:30 Local 
• Registration: N2785Q 
• Aircraft: Piper PA-32-260 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202208/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2785Q

On December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to friends of the pilot, the airplane had not flown since August, and the purpose of the flight was for the pilot, who was the owner, to maintain proficiency. No ADS-B data was available for the flight; however, it appeared to have departed from runway 17 at its home base, Rio Linda Airport (L36), at about 1228.

Witnesses located about one-half mile south of the airport reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude in a southbound direction away from the airport. One witness stated that they could not hear the sound of an engine and assumed the airplane was attempting to land in a field.

The airplane came to rest in a grass field about 2,200 ft south-southwest of the departure end of runway 17. The first identified point of impact was a 25-ft-long ground disruption that contained fragments of paint chips and composite material. The debris field continued on a heading of about 240°, leading to the right wing, which had detached at the wing root along with the nose gear assembly and right flap. The main fuselage was located about 90 ft farther downrange and had come to rest generally intact and upright. The left wing was separated at the root, essentially undamaged, and had come to rest inverted just beyond the main cabin.

Both wingtip fuel tanks, along with the right wing tank, had been breached and were empty. The left tank was intact and was more than half full when viewed through the filler neck.

The cabin sustained minimal damage and was essentially intact. The airplane was equipped with lap belts for the front occupants but did not appear to have shoulder harnesses installed. The engine remained attached to the firewall by its mount and was bent downward and slightly to the right. Both propeller blades remained attached to the hub and were bent about 45° aft at midspan, with minimal evidence of chordwise striations or leading-edge damage.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, N360FV, accident occurred on December 15, 2025, near Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY/KTCY), Tracy, California

• Location: Tracy, CA 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA060 
• Date & Time: December 15, 2025, 15:26 UTC 
• Registration: N360FV 
• Aircraft: BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202173/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N360FV

On December 15, 2025, about 1526 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft G36, N360FV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tracy, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he departed Palo Alto Airport (PAO), Palo Alto, California enroute to Lake Tahoe, California following a recent engine overhaul that was completed about 10 hours prior to the accident flight. About 35 minutes into the flight, while maintaining straight and level flight at about 17,000 feet mean sea level, the pilot received an oil pressure alert and noticed a gradual decrease in engine oil pressure. In response to the oil pressure indication, the pilot reduced power to cool the engine and configured the airplane for best glide speed. The pilot then contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC), informed them of the emergency, and requested vectors to Livermore Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. Approximately five minutes later, the engine began to run rough, which was followed by a loud bang and white smoke along with oil on the engine cowling and windscreen. Smoke also entered the cockpit, significantly reducing visibility and requiring the pilot to adjust the cannula for maximum airflow.

The pilot determined that reaching LVK was not possible and declared an emergency, requesting vectors to Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY), Tracy, California. The pilot attempted to glide to TCY but landed short, coming to rest in an irrigation canal after sliding through a field.

Preliminary examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine compartment and fuselage.

The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.  

Cirrus SR22T GTS G6 carbon, N53KH, accident occurred on December 19, 2025, at Muleshoe Municipal Airport (2T1), Muleshoe, Texas

• Location: Muleshoe, TX 
• Accident Number: CEN26LA072 
• Date & Time: December 19, 2025, 12:55 Local 
• Registration: N53KH 
• Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22T 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202240/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N53KH

On December 19, 2025, about 1255 central standard time, a Cirrus SR22T, N53KH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Muleshoe, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane departed runway 7 at Muleshoe Municipal Airport (2T1), Muleshoe, Texas. During the takeoff roll, about 50 to 55 kts, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to drift. He said that he had a slight vibration coming from the landing gear. He pulled back the throttle to abort the takeoff. Then the airplane pulled harder to the left. He put in full right brake and partial left brake to stop the airplane, but it continued left off the runway. During the runway excursion, the left wheel went over a drainage pipe, which caused the left gear to collapse and separate from the fuselage. The airplane came to rest on an embankment. Postaccident examination revealed that the left wing fuel tank was breached and fuel was leaking onto the ground. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Reported wind at the time of the accident at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), Lubbock, Texas, 51 nm southeast of 2T1, was 200° at 21 kts gusting to 26 kts.

RotorWay Exec 162F, N162RW, accident occurred on November 4, 2025, at McMinn County Airport (MMI/KMMI), Athens, Tennessee

• Location: Athens, TN 
• Accident Number: ERA26LA031 
• Date & Time: November 4, 2025, 14:00 Local 
• Registration: N162RW 
• Aircraft: PROCTOR E RAY EXEC 162F 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201959/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N162RW

On November 04, 2025, at about 1400 eastern standard time, an amateur built experimental Rotorway 162F, N162RW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Athens, Tennessee. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the pre-flight and runup of the helicopter were normal with no anomalies observed. The pilot then departed the McMinn County Airport (MMI), Athens, Tennessee, for a local flight. After completing the flight, the pilot began his approach to MMI. The pilot reported that as he began to raise the collective to slow the helicopter for touchdown, the  helicopter began a left turn. He attempted to arrest the turn using the right anti-torque pedal; however, there was no response despite full right pedal input. The pilot further stated that the helicopter began to drift from his intended landing position. The skids contacted the grass and the helicopter subsequently rolled onto its left side. After the helicopter rolled over, a post-impact fire ensued, consuming most of the helicopter.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.