The community is mourning the sudden loss of Harvey Cleveland, 55, of Peculiar, Missouri, who tragically died Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in an aircraft crash near Statesboro, Georgia.
Cleveland was piloting an amateur-built Airshark, a rare experimental amphibious plane capable of landing on both land and water, when the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 24 and Sand Spur Road, approximately two miles from the local airport. Authorities report that the aircraft may have experienced maintenance issues prior to the flight. Cleveland was reportedly conducting a test flight before delivering the plane to its next owner in North Georgia.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded to the scene and plans to transport the wreckage to Atlanta for further examination. The Federal Aviation Administration notes that only seven Airshark aircraft are registered in the United States. Experimental aircraft such as these are built from kits, requiring extensive labor from the pilot or builder, and do not undergo the same certification process as production models.
Cleveland is remembered by family, friends, and fellow aviation enthusiasts as a passionate and dedicated pilot. His adventurous spirit and love of flight left a lasting impression on all who knew him, touching communities both in Missouri and Georgia.
Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date. His passing is deeply felt, but the impact of his life, characterized by enthusiasm, courage, and commitment to his passions, will endure in the hearts of those he inspired.
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