FOSTORIA, Ohio — An Avon man and his co-pilot died Tuesday night after a plane crash in Ohio.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the plane crashed in a wooded area just before 11 p.m.
Shane Alan Halbrook, 59, of Avon and co-pilot Michael D. Wright, 51, of Casey Illinois, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The Indiana Air National Guard says both men were former Guard members. They released the following statement.
"With heavy hearts, we have learned of the passing of two former Indiana Air National Guard members. Retired. Col. Shane A. Halbrook and Maj. Michael D. Wright were lost in a single-engine aircraft incident late last evening in Seneca County, Ohio.
Col. Halbrook’s last assignment was the director of joint staff for the Indiana Air National Guard.
Maj. Wright was a member of the 181st Communication Flight, 181st Intelligence Wing, Hulman Field Air National Guard Base, Indiana, prior to transferring to the Air Force Reserve at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
Please join us in a moment of silent reflection, prayer, and thoughts for their families as they deal with this devastating loss."
The Associated Press reports the single-engine plane was traveling from Illinois to Findlay, Ohio when the aircraft went down.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

NTSB is investigating the Feb. 22, crash of a Piper PA32-360 airplane near Fostoria, Ohio.
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) February 23, 2022
-
Fishers debuts free indoor holiday event Jingle Bell Junction for families
Fishers is bringing holiday magic indoors with its first-ever Jingle Bell Junction, a free winter wonderland event running through the next few days at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.
Northridge neighbors push for safety upgrades as Brownsburg grows
Neighbors in the Northridge subdivision say speeding has gotten out of control, and town leaders are now moving toward safety upgrades they hope will slow drivers down before someone gets hurt.
IU's DE Stephen Daley expected to miss the rest of this season, playoffs
Defensive end Stephen Daley is expected to miss the College Football Playoff after getting injured during No. 1 Indiana’s Big Ten championship celebration.
Coach Steichen says Colts will decide Rivers' playing status by week's end
The Colts will decide by the end of the week on whether newly signed practice squad quarterback Philip Rivers will be available for Sunday's game in Seattle, head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday.