Ad
Friday, November 7, 2025

Stepup Scaffolding CEO And Executives Killed In Plane Crash

ADVERTISEMENT

Scaffolding manufacturers and distributors Stepup Scaffolding have announced the tragic death of their CEO Wei Chen and 3 executives.

Stepup Scaffolding a subsidiary of Sunshine Enterprise Inc, based in Scotland and headquartered in Memphis USA has identified four of its employees as victims killed in a plane crash.

According to reports, the business jet flown by Chen plunged out of the sky crashing into a football field in an Atlanta park as it was making its way from Atlanta to Memphis on Thursday 20 December.

Wei Chen, John Chen, Bruce Pelynio and Danielle Mitchell were identified as victims in the crash, according to Stepup Scaffolding President, Mike McAnnally.

Sunshine Enterprise Executive Council Members (left to right) Mike McAnnally, President, StepUp Scaffold, a Sunshine Enterprise Company, Danielle Mitchell Harding, Controller, Sunshine Enterprise, Wei Chen, Founder Sunshine Enterprise, Bruce Pelynio, President, Heli Americas and John Chen, Chief Operations Officer, Sunshine Enterprise.

Sunshine Enterprise released a statement on Friday 21 December.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the most difficult of news. On December 20th, we lost our fearless leader, Wei Chen as well as our COO, John Chen; Heli Americas CEO’ Bruce Pelynio; and Comptroller Danielle Mitchell to a tragic plane crash.

“Our company is grieving, but I have nothing but confidence when I tell you that we, as the team at Sunshine Enterprise, will persevere and will continue to serve our customers in the way they expect — with dedication and with care.”

“Please keep the families of our incredible leadership team in your thoughts and prayers.” The statement said.

Commenting on the tragic news, Andrew Smith from Avontus Software said: “Although they have been in the UK for a couple of years and a relatively young scaffolding manufacturer they were very well respected. Both Wei and John were true gentlemen and an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

ULMA Construction eyes UK expansion with Des Moore leading setup

European scaffolding and formwork giant ULMA Construction is preparing to enter the UK market, with industry leader Des Moore steering the launch phase. The Spanish-based...

PERI UK’s Terry Hall recognised as ‘Unsung Hero’ for driving formwork safety reform

Terry Hall, Field Services Manager at PERI UK, has been honoured with the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at this year’s CONSTRUCT Day for his work...

Scaffolders urged to tighten safety as climate change brings fiercer storms

Extreme weather is exposing poor practices across the scaffolding industry, as insurance specialists urge contractors to tighten safety procedures in response to increasingly severe...

Connolly Scaffolding unveils major new Salford base as part of multi-million-pound expansion

Connolly Scaffolding has completed a major expansion with the opening of a new 26,000 sq ft warehouse and yard in Salford – a move...

Surge in construction apprenticeships as CITB support drives 61% rise

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has reported a sharp rise in apprenticeship starts, with more than 1,500 new apprentices supported by its New...

URTIM powers Turkey’s first floating gas platform

Turkey has taken a major step towards energy independence with the completion of its first floating natural gas production platform, the Osman Gazi. At the...

CISRS announces suite of new safety and inspection courses

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has announced a series of new and updated training courses aimed at improving safety, technical standards, and...

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht, has announced its largest ever distribution agreement after joining forces with Leach’s. The partnership will expand...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

CISRS announces suite of new safety and inspection courses

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has announced...

URTIM powers Turkey’s first floating gas platform

Turkey has taken a major step towards energy independence...

Connolly Scaffolding unveils major new Salford base as part of multi-million-pound expansion

Connolly Scaffolding has completed a major expansion with the...

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Scaffolders urged to tighten safety as climate change brings fiercer storms

Extreme weather is exposing poor practices across the scaffolding...

Related articles

Scaffolder Dies After Fall at Hong Kong Site Despite Wearing Safety Harness

A 62-year-old scaffolder has died after falling from a construction site in Hong Kong, prompting an investigation by authorities. The scaffolder was working at a site in Fanling, a residential and industrial area in...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

Kirtanlal and Al Masaood partnership set to reshape the Middle East scaffolding sector

Kirtanlal Scaffolding & Formwork has announced a new strategic...

ULMA Construction eyes UK expansion with Des Moore leading setup

European scaffolding and formwork giant ULMA Construction is preparing...

Scaffolders urged to tighten safety as climate change brings fiercer storms

Extreme weather is exposing poor practices across the scaffolding...
ADVERTISEMENTS