# NTSB CEN26LA205: Vans RV4, N292M, Conroe, TX, May 13, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 13, 2026, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.311876, -95.456055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3119&lon=-95.4561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056083I), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=056083I), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=056083I), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056083I), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056083I), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the canopy opened on his experimental airplane because he failed to properly latch it before takeoff. He was unable to close the canopy after it opened and decided to land the airplane straight ahead on the remaining runway. The airplane subsequently overran the departure end of the runway and came to rest in the grass. The engine mount sustained substantial damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N292M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N292M), registered now, S/N WB001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV4 (UNDESIGNATED SERIES) - Registry model: [Bonsteel Wayne RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bonsteel-wayne-rv-4) (registry code 056083I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental OX-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-ox-340-series) (registry code 17489, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WB001 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 1139 - Engines: Lycoming OX-340-A1B2T8 177 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 10, 2025 - Departed: CXO, Conroe, TX - Destination: T78, Liberty, TX - Airport: CXO, Conroe North Houston Regional, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; airline transport, military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 17,947 total, 773 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KCXO, 4 nm away - METAR: KCXO 131739Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW050 29/16 A3010 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260513008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260513008259A), May 13, 2026: Bonsteel Wayne RV-4, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted], A vans RV-4, departed Conroe/north Houston regional airport on rwy 19 with one passenger. Shortly after departure at approximetly 100… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.