20220430005959A

On Saturday, March 30, 2022, a North American AT-6D, N29947, s/n: 42-85697A, took off from Gillespie County Airport (T82) at approximately 1300 local with one pilot and one passenger on board. Before engine start, the pilot selected the right fuel tank stating that it was the fuller of the two tanks at 55 gallons. Start up, taxi, and run-up were all normal. Aircraft took off from runway 32 and establishing a positive rate of climb. The pilot raised the gear and immediately noticed what appeared to be white smoke coming from the ring cowling. At approximately 2-3 seconds after the smoke appeared, the engine "coughed" loudly then lost power. The pilot lowered the landing gear to make an emergency landing then decided that there would not be adequate runway remaining. The pilot then chose to raise the landing gear for a gear up landing stating that he feared the aircraft would flip over on its nose or back after departing the end of the runway with the gear down. The aircraft touched down approximately 500 feet from the end of the runway with the right gear extended and the left gear partially extended. The pilot was able to maintain directional control of the aircraft until it exited the runway, striking a runway light, yawing left, and the right gear folding up into the wheel well. The aircraft came to rest approximately 22 yards from the end of the runway on the extended centerline of runway 32. After coming to rest, the pilot shut off the fuel selector, secured the aircraft, and egressed the aircraft with the passenger. Both the pilot and passenger reported no injuries.