This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5409D
- History of Flight:
On August 6, 2026, at about 1048 local time, a privately-registered Beechcraft H35 Bonanza, N5409D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bogalusa, Louisiana. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time.
The purpose of the flight was for the couple to fly from Elm Creek Airpark (OTX6), Seguin, Texas, to an unspecified airport in Florida.
According to flight tracking history, on July 31, the airplane departed OTX6 at 0832 on a short flight to nearby Zuehl Airport (1TE4), Marion, Texas. The airplane conducted one touch-and-go at 0841 and returned to Elm Creek at 0853.
On August 6, 2026, at 0617, the airplane departed Elm Creek on a flight to KBXA. The flight lasted 3 hours, and the last ADS-B data point was recorded west of the airport at 0912. The final approach segment was not recorded.
Preliminary information indicates the accident occurred just after takeoff from KBXA at around 1048. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area near the airport.
There were no known witnesses at the time of this writing. There was a post crash fire.
- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 68, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating and an instrument rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 3/16/2026. The pilot also held a remote pilot certificate and a repairman/experimental aircraft builder certificate.
- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number D-4912, was manufactured in 1957. It was a four-seat, all-metal, low-wing, retractable-gear airplane. It was powered by a Continental Motors IO-470, 230-horsepower engine.
According to an old sale listing: "Fresh Aircraft presents this gorgeous H35 V-tail. This aircraft comes with a fresh, extensive annual; just completed. No expense spared on this aircraft as it has been the family traveler for a number of years. This aircraft has tip tanks that enable you to stay in the air for 8 hours of air time. Whether personal or business, this aircraft will fulfill any mission."
The same listing mentioned the following avoincs and equipment:
"Garmin GNS 430W Nav/Com 1 Garmin GMA 340 Audio Panel Bendix King KX-155 Nav/Com 2 King DME KN62 Garmin GTX 335ES STEC 60 w/Altitude Hold G3 Insight Engine Monitor Electronic International Fuel Management System AV-30-C Back-up
LED Nav/Strobe Lights LED Landing Lights Tip Tanks 102 Gallons Fuel Rosen Visors Sun Shades Electric Fuel Pump."
 |
| Figure: Cockpit from sale listing |
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
None.
- Airport Information:
KBXA is a public airport located 2 miles north of Bogalusa, Louisiana. The airport field elevation is 119 ft. The airport features a single runway 18/36 that is 5002 x 100 ft.
- Weather:
The 1035 METAR indicated winds 0 knots, 10 miles visibility, a scattered ceiling at 2,300ft AGL, temperature 32 °C, dewpoint 24 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury.
The 1115 METAR indicated winds 020 at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, a a broken cloud layer at 3,200ft and 3,700ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 8,000ft AGL, temperature 32 °C, dewpoint 24 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.15 inches of mercury.
(1) METARs:
METAR KBXA 061515Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN023 31/25 A3014 RMK AO2 T03110246
METAR KBXA 061615Z AUTO 02005KT 10SM BKN032 BKN037 OVC080 32/24 A3015 RMK AO2 T03160240
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
933
FXUS64 KLIX 061037 AAA
AFDLIX
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
537 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...NEW AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 528 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
- Moisture will return to the area through the remainder of the
week, which will allow isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms
to develop each afternoon.
- Heat index values will gradually increase through the end of
the week but are currently forecast to remain just below
hazardous levels.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Now through Sunday)
Issued at 144 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
The region will remain between two upper level ridges...one over
the Four Corners region and the other over the western Atlantic
through the short term. The upper low over the southern
Appalachians has opened and moved downstream, but again this
weakness in the mid and upper levels remain in its wake. At the
surface winds will generally be light and southerly. This has
helped bring the humidity values up once again, which is why
diurnally driven convection will continue to gradually increase
through the short term period as well. Surface temperatures will
still be around average for this time of year and with added
humidity the "feels like" temperatures will continue to heat up,
but still look to remain a degree or two below hazardous
thresholds across the CWFA. The cooler locations will be right
along the coast with the onshore flow with locations further
inland heating up into the middle 90s each afternoon. Going into
the weekend surface winds tend to shift a bit more easterly as
high pressure tries to build into the Southeast from the east. As
for POPs the best course of action through the short term is to
apply seasonal afternoon POPs. Not everyone will get rain, but we
will not exactly be dry either. Very much the epitome of summer
here on the northern Gulf Coast. (Frye)
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Sunday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 144 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
A fairly typical summertime pattern will be in place through the
extended period. The western periphery of the Bermuda ridge will be
over about the eastern half of the Gulf over the weekend, and cover
most of the northern Gulf by midweek next week. With ridging over
the Rockies, this will leave a bit of a weakness in the upper
pattern (592 dm vs 595 dm with the ridges) from near Memphis to
Dallas-Fort Worth for the first half of next week.
With weak onshore flow expected, and precipitable water values in
the 50th to 75th percentile range, isolated to scattered afternoon
convection looks to be the consistent trend for the first half of
the week. At this point, NBM PoP12 for the daytime hours Monday and
Tuesday looks to be a little on the high side (by 10-20 percent)
south of Interstate 10.
Temperatures will likely be within a few degrees of the 90 degree
mark each day, with timing of convective development determining
which side of 90 a location ends up on each day. Overnight lows in
the mid and upper 70s will continue. Heat index values will likely
approach Heat Advisory criteria (108F) along the Interstate 10/12
corridors in locations that don`t have storms develop until late
afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday. (RW)
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 537 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
Outside of convection later this afternoon, mainly VFR conditions
expected. That said, MCB may see some brief reduced visibilities
right around sunrise. As for convection, expect brief VIS/CIG
reductions at least in the heaviest activity. Convection should be
cleared by around sunset with lighter southerly winds. (Frye)
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 144 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026
The low-level pressure gradient may tighten slightly Friday into the
weekend as surface high pressure becomes better established over the
eastern Gulf while lower pressures persist over the southern Plains
and lower Mississippi Valley. This will alter flow to more of a
south to southeast direction today and then southeasterly to
easterly through the weekend. Speeds should generally remain around
5 to 10 knots, although periods of 10 to 15 knots will be possible
over the outer waters as an easterly fetch becomes better
established going into the weekend. Seas will generally remain 1 to
2 feet today with 2 to 3 feet for the outer waters this weekend.
Increasing Gulf moisture will also bring a gradual increase in
showers and thunderstorms through the weekend and into early next
week. Convection will be most common, in typical summertime fashion,
over the coastal waters during the overnight and morning hours. Then
activity shifts inland with the developing sea breeze during the
afternoon hours. Expect locally higher winds and seas in and around
convection. (Frye)
&&
.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
GM...None.
MS...None.
GM...None.
&&
$$
SHORT TERM...RDF
LONG TERM....RW
AVIATION...RDF
MARINE...RDF
