Airplane Made A 360° Left Turn And Began A Rapid Descent

Location: Indianapolis, IN Accident Number: CEN23LA093
Date & 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. 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.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov