Accident Overview
On April 30, 2022, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a North American AT-6D airplane, registration N29947, was substantially damaged during an accident at Gillespie County Airport (T82) in Fredericksburg, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that a preflight inspection and engine run-up were completed with no anomalies. During the initial climb after takeoff, immediately after the landing gear was retracted, white smoke was observed coming from the engine cowling. A few seconds later, the engine “coughed loudly” and then lost total power. The airplane was still over the runway at that point. The pilot extended the landing gear, then retracted it again when realizing insufficient runway remained for landing. The airplane touched down with the right main gear extended and the left main gear partially extended, exited the runway, and collided with a runway light. The left wing and left aileron sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
FAA inspectors examined the airplane and assisted the owner’s mechanics with removing the radial engine for transport. During the examination, they discovered that the No. 1 cylinder was cracked all the way around the circumference. No other anomalies were observed. A postaccident engine examination confirmed that the No. 1 cylinder head fractured near the rear spark plug on the exhaust side.
Maintenance History
A review of the airplane maintenance records showed that an annual inspection was completed on April 27, 2022, three days before the accident, at an aircraft total time (TT) of 11,694.0 hours. The previous annual inspection was completed on January 28, 2021, at 11,680.3 hours TT. A recurring FAA airworthiness directive (AD) 99-11-02, which mandated visual inspections to prevent cylinder head cracking, was applicable for this airplane. The AD had been completed on June 29, 2017, at 11,529.3 hours TT, and was due again at 11,779.3 hours TT.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left aileron.
Stated Cause
The accident investigation did not provide an explicit probable cause statement.