Shane Pennington, II
August 1, 2002 — January 24, 2023
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Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Sauer, Aaron
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
Additional Participating Entities:
Christopher Johnson; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota
99EC Holding LLC
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Accident Number: CEN23LA093
Date and Time: January 24, 2023, 15:39 Local
Registration: N99EC
Aircraft: Cirrus SR20
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On January 24, 2023, about 1539 eastern standard time, a Cirrus SR20 airplane, N99EC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Indianapolis, Indiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data (ADS-B), the airplane departed the Indianapolis Executive Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1526. After takeoff, the airplane turned left, climbed to about 1,000 ft above ground level, and continued to the southeast past downtown Indianapolis. South of downtown and near the end of the data, the airplane made a 360° left turn and began a rapid descent (see Figure 1.). A residential surveillance camera captured the impact sequence and showed the airplane impact in a nose and right-wing low attitude. There were no witnesses to the accident.
The airplane wreckage was located adjacent to a single railroad track and several residential homes. The initial impact point, which was consistent with the propeller, engine, forward fuselage, and both wings, was located about 20 ft from the main wreckage. The initial impact contained the propeller blades and fragmented sections of the forward fuselage. Fragmented sections of the fuselage, wings, and empennage were found in the debris forward of the main wreckage. The airplane damage was consistent with a high angle and high energy impact with terrain.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cirrus
Registration: N99EC
Model/Series: SR20
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIND, 792 ft msl
Observation Time: 20:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 230°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 25000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Indianapolis, IN
Destination: Indianapolis, IN
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.701295,-86.136893 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Shane Pennington, II, 20, Mooresville, passed away January 24, 2023. Shane was born August 1, 2002, in Mooresville, to Shane and Angela (Price) Pennington.
Shane grew up in Mooresville and graduated from Mooresville High School in 2020 and most recently from Vincennes University. He was a licensed pilot and was working towards becoming a commercial pilot. Shane was a gifted athlete and played in the Mooresville Youth baseball, basketball, and football programs. He played basketball for the Mooresville Pioneers in high school and also was a high jumper. Shane was a people person, often described as the life of the party, he was a great friend to many. He was usually the organizer of the parties and kept the friends together. He loved fitness, working out, and taking care of himself. Shane enjoyed traveling, experiencing new things, and made for an easy role model for his friends and family. He had a special bond with his dog Sadie. Shane’s memory will be forever cherished by his loving family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Mark Price and aunt, Michelle Price.
Survivors include his parents, Shane and Angie Pennington; siblings, Alyssa (John) Dugger, Jacob Pennington, and Braydon Price; maternal grandmother, Tammy Price (Mimi); paternal grandparents, Janet (Caleb) McCauley; nephew, Elliott and Owen Dugger; and extended family consisting of Shane’s loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be announced in the coming days. Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
Shane Pennington, II
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Shane Pennington said he was surprised to learn his son wanted to become a pilot after graduating high school. The Mooresville senior loved sports, had lots of friends and enjoyed seeing new places, but he didn't mention flying aircraft until nearly the end of his senior year.
"He just kind of out of nowhere said, 'Hey, I want to be a pilot,' so we looked into a program," Pennington told IndyStar of his son, Shane Pennington II who died unexpectedly at age 20 after a plane crash last month.
On January 24, the Cirrus SR20 aircraft that Pennington II was piloting crashed beside railroad tracks in the 4100 block of Weaver Avenue, a residential area near the University of Indianapolis. Pennington II was the sole occupant in the airplane and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
"He was excited to be a pilot. He really loved it," his father said, adding, "I think deep down, everybody wants to be a pilot, you know? At least a little bit. I did, as a young kid. I thought it was pretty cool."
Pennington said right after his son graduated from Mooresville High School, he enrolled at Vincennes University, where he received a pilot's license in May 2020, and was flying small planes over the skies of Indianapolis before he was 19 years old.
"We love him and are very proud of all the things he was able to accomplish," Pennington told IndyStar.
The small aircraft piloted by Pennington II departed the Indianapolis Executive Airport at about 3:26 p.m. on January 24 under overcast skies. After takeoff, the plane climbed to about 1,000 feet above the ground and continued southeast past downtown Indianapolis, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
South of downtown, the airplane made a 360-degree left turn and began a rapid descent. There were no witnesses to the accident, records state.
Investigators who examined the wreckage reported there were "no mechanical malfunctions" that would have interrupted the normal operations of the airplane.
Officials noted the information in the report is preliminary and subject to change.
