It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harvey Cleveland, 55, of Peculiar, Missouri, who tragically lost his life in a fatal aircraft crash on Wednesday afternoon, March 25, 2026, near Statesboro, Georgia. 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.
Harvey Cleveland was piloting an amateur-built Airshark aircraft, a rare experimental amphibious plane capable of landing on both water and land. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, there are only seven Airshark aircraft registered in the United States, making it an exceptionally rare model.
While the name Harvey Cleveland does not appear in the FAA Airman Registry, Arnold Harvey Cleveland, registered from nearby Kansas City, Missouri, holds the necessary private pilot licenses for the Airshark. The FAA classifies this type of aircraft as experimental, meaning it is a kit-built plane that requires significant work from the builder and does not undergo the same full certification process as standard production aircraft.
The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, led by Cpt. Todd Hutchens, stated that authorities believe the plane may have been experiencing maintenance issues prior to the flight. It is suspected that the aircraft was on a test flight, likely in preparation for delivery to another party in North Georgia.
The loss of Harvey Cleveland has left his family, friends, and the aviation community in mourning. His passion for aviation and his dedication to his craft will be remembered by those who knew him. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.
As investigations continue, we honor Harvey’s memory and the impact he had on the world of aviation. May his legacy live on, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort in the support of those around them during this difficult time.
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