CEN26LA318

On September 13, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, a Vans 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.