What happened
On December 30, 2025, at approximately 16:23 CST, a Lancair Legacy RG, registration N618AM, was destroyed in an accident near Fredericksburg, Texas. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
According to ADS-B data, the pilot—who was also the owner and builder of the aircraft—departed Gillespie County Airport (T82) at 15:47 from runway 32. The flight path included a series of maneuvers near Harper, Texas, and later near Hedwigs Hill, Texas. While flying southeast over U.S. Highway 87, the aircraft's altitude and airspeed were observed to increase. However, the final available data indicated a descent and a decrease in airspeed before the ADS-B signal terminated approximately 17.70 miles north of T82.
The aircraft came to rest upright in a remote cattle ranching area characterized by trees, brush, cactus, and rocky hills at an elevation of 1,720 feet. A post-impact fire occurred, which destroyed the composite airframe. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.