Two individuals tragically lost their lives in a mid-air collision between two single-engine aircraft at Marana Regional Airport, Arizona, on Wednesday, February 19, around 8:30 a.m. The incident involved a Lancair and a Cessna 172, with two passengers aboard each plane. While the occupants of the Cessna survived without serious injuries, the too occupants of the Lancair were unfortunately killed.
The Marana Police Department is actively seeking witness accounts and any footage that may shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police Sgt. Vincent Rizzi emphasized the importance of gathering information from witnesses, indicating that video evidence could be particularly valuable in determining what occurred.
Local pilot Robert Traylor, who was preparing for a flight to Payson just prior to the incident, noted how he was informed of the airport’s closure before taking off. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. The FAA explained that Marana Regional Airport is classified as an “uncontrolled field,” which does not have an active air traffic control tower. Pilots at such airports must communicate their positions using a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and are responsible for maintaining safe distances from other aircraft.
In light of the recent tragedy, the town of Marana is considering the implementation of an airport control tower to enhance safety measures, although opinions vary among local pilots regarding its efficacy. Traylor expressed concern that the presence of a control tower might not necessarily improve safety and could serve as an inconvenience for some pilots.
This incident marks the second aviation accident in the Marana area since October 2024, when a small plane crashed into two homes due to equipment failure, fortunately resulting in no injuries.
The airport remains closed as federal investigators assess the scene. As the community grapples with this devastating loss, there is hope that improvements in aviation safety measures may stem from this tragedy, potentially preventing similar incidents in the future.