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=N29678
- History of Flight:
On April 13, 2026, at about 1536 local time, a North American AT-6D Texan, N29678, registered to Osprey Aircraft LLC out of De Leon Springs, FL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Bronson, Florida. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The local formation flight originated from Williston Regional Airport (X60), Williston, Florida.
The accident aircraft was part of the formation flying clinic at the airport.
A witness reported that he heard three planes flying around 1530 LT, and one of the planes was sputtering. He heard a loud crash shortly after.
Preliminary ADS-B exchange data captured the airplane between 1503:03 and 1504:22. The airplane was seen at 4,300 ft and 132 knots groundspeed. The data seemed uneventful.
- Pilot Information:
Unknown.
- Airplane Information:
The airplane, serial number 88-15187, was a single-engine monoplane used to train military pilots during World War II and into the 1970s. It was equipped with retractable conventional (tailwheel) landing gear and tandem seating for two occupants. The airplane was powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial reciprocating engine, which drove a 2-blade, constant-speed Hamilton Standard 12D40 propeller.
According to the Flight Operating Instructions (Handbook):
12. STALLS.
STALLING SPEED CHART
GROSS WEIGHТ / GEAR AND FLAPS UP / GEAR AND FLAPS DOWN
5300 Pounds 72 mph (IAS) 64 mph (IAS)
6000 Pounds 77 mph (IAS) 69 mph (IAS)
a. When the stalling incidence is reached with landing gear and flaps up, a wing will drop. If the backward movement on the stick continues when the wing drops, the airplane will fall into a steep spiral. The stalling incidence is reached with the control stick only a short distance back when the airplane nears stalling speed, because of sensitive elevators.
b. Decrease the whip when stalling by putting the stick forward at the start and applying opposite rudder.If putting the stick forward is delayed until the airplane is on its back, an-inverted spin may result.
c. No warning of a stall should be relied on, although buffeting and pitching usually precede a stall.
d. During a practice stall, do not pull the nose up in order to stall; instead, counteract its tendency to sink by easing back the stick. When a wing drops, put the stick forward at once and apply opposite rudder.
e. With flaps and landing gear down, stalling incidence is reached about 64mphIAS. As speed is reduced,the rightwing drops quickly and; unless recovery is effected immediately, the airplane may whip into a half roll and attempt to spin.
13. SPINS.
Spins should not be made intentionally with flaps and landing gear down. Should an inadvertant spin occur, recovery can be effected after 1-1/2 or 2 turns by first applying full opposite rudder and then pushing the control stick forward to neutral. The ailerons are held in the neutral position. Centralize the rudder as soon as the airplane is in a straight dive to prevent a spin in the opposite direction. Bring the airplane out of the dive and return the control stick to neutral.
14. PERMISSIBLE ACROBATICS.
The acrobatic qualities of this airplane are exceptional, and the lateral control is excellent at all speeds. All normal acrobatics except those prohibited in paragraph 1 of this section are permitted; however, inverted flying must be limited to 10 seconds because of engine difficulties resulting from prolonged inverted flight.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted open field terrain and was consumed by a post crash fire. There was a notable debris field leading to the main wreckage, which consisted of one of the wings and portions of the fuselage. One of the wings and the radial engine were noted in the mentioned debris path. The impact appears to have been in a nose down, wings level attitude.
- Weather:
(1) METARs:
METAR KOCF 131851Z VRB05KT 10SM SCT055 28/14 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP250 T02780144
METAR KOCF 131951Z 00000KT 10SM SCT060 28/13 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP240 T02780133
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 202 PM EDT Mon Apr 13 2026 ...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... - Cautionary-level marine winds evening into overnight through mid week. - Patchy late night/early morning fog possible mainly across the Nature Coast. - Moderate to extreme drought conditions continue. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1236 PM EDT Mon Apr 13 2026 Strong surface ridging in the Atlantic will be our main weather factor over much of the next 7 days. This ridge will be keeping us dry through the weekend with PW below 1 inch which is not good for our ongoing drought. The biggest weather concern will be the heat. We will see slowly warming temperatures each day with widespread 90`s by Friday. By the weekend we will see near record breaking temperatures with highs topping out in the low to mid 90`s. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1236 PM EDT Mon Apr 13 2026 VFR conditions with easterly winds throughout the period. && .MARINE... Issued at 1236 PM EDT Mon Apr 13 2026 Strong ridging will keep our our winds of an easterly direction through the week with no showers in the forecast. Strong riding early in the week will resulting in speeds between 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20. By Wednesday afternoon those will start to come down and stay between 5 to 10 knots through the rest of the week. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1236 PM EDT Mon Apr 13 2026 Strong ridging over the area will keep us dry throughout the week. This is not good news for our ongoing drought that we have been dealing with. We will be near critical RH values mainly across the Nature Coast and inland areas from Wednesday through Friday.
- Additional Information:
None
