Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN AT-6D near Bronson, FL — 2026-04-13

Investigation ongoingERA26FA166
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Date
2026-04-13
Location
Bronson, FL, USA
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN AT-6D
Registration
N29678
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On April 13, 2026, about 1536 eastern daylight time, a North American AT-6D, N29678, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bronson, Florida. The two pilots were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The accident pilot was undergoing a formation flight “check-out” at the time of the accident. The accident airplane was the second airplane in a two-airplane formation flight. The flight departed Williston Regional Airport (X60), Williston, Florida, about 1510 and proceeded northwest at an altitude of about 3,000 ft msl. The pilot of the lead airplane reported that both airplanes completed a formation sequence and then began their return flight to X60, with the accident airplane in “extended trail formation,” about 1/2-mile behind the lead airplane. As the formation descended through about 2,700 ft msl, on a southerly heading, the lead airplane performed two 180° direction changes, then completed two circles that terminated in a 30° climb and a 30° bank attitude. The lead pilot observed the accident airplane in a nose high attitude as it banked right. The lead pilot then diverted his attention momentarily to clear his turn, then subsequently observed the accident airplane in a steep, 80° nose-down decent. As the accident airplane continued to descend below approximately 1,000 ft msl, it rolled right about 3-1/2 times. The lead pilot reported that the accident airplane appeared to be recovering from the decent just before it impacted terrain, which was followed by a postimpact fire. Examination of the accident site revealed that the wreckage was highly fragmented. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane’s engine, wings, and horizontal stabilizers were impact separated and located in the debris field. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces through control cables that were fractured consistent with overload separations. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Unknown or undetermined · Unknown
View NTSB preliminary report

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