Airplane Proceeded Out Over The Lake, Reached A Peak Altitude Of 3,900 Ft, Before It Descended Rapidly Into The Lake At 0905

Location: Oshkosh, WI Accident Number: CEN23FA332
Date & Time: July 29, 2023, 09:05 Local Registration: N49961
Aircraft: North American AT-6D Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 29, 2023, at 0905 central daylight time, a North American AT-6D airplane, N49961, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane was at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture fly-in, held at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. According to Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed from runway 27 at OSH about 0857. The airplane made a right turn toward the north for about 3 miles before it turned toward the east-northeast. The flightpath took the airplane over Lake Winnebago, outside of the OSH Class D airspace. The airplane proceeded out over the lake, reached a peak altitude of 3,900 ft, before it descended rapidly into the lake at 0905. 

The airplane broke into pieces and came to rest at the bottom of the lake in about 20 ft of water. The airplane will be recovered for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov