Preliminary information
On September 13, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, an amateur-built Aircraft Inc, RV-4, N254MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Harrisonville, Missouri. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that while cruising at 5,500 ft mean sea level and 152 knots, about 5 to 10 miles south of Lawrence Smith Memorial Airport (LRY), Harrisonville, Missouri, the canopy unlatched warning light began to intermittently illuminate and extinguish. A few seconds after, the airplane was substantially damaged when the canopy separated from the airplane. The pilot executed a 180° turn and landed without further incident at LRY. The canopy was subsequently located about 5.3 nautical miles southeast of LRY.
The airplane and canopy were retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA318 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 13, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Harrisonville, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Lawrence Smith Memorial Airpor (LRY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV4
- N-number
- N254MM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.