Two Dead in Midair Plane Collision at Arizona Airport

Two small single-engine planes collided midair Wednesday morning at Marana Regional Airport, Arizona, leaving two people dead, officials confirmed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S crashed just before 8:30 a.m. local time at the uncontrolled airport, which has no operating air traffic control tower. Pilots at such airports communicate using a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency to coordinate landings and takeoffs.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the collision occurred “upwind of runway 12.” The Cessna failed to land safely, while the Lancair crashed near runway 3 and caught fire upon impact. Each plane carried two people, and two fatalities were reported.

Marana Regional Airport Superintendent Galen Beem expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by this event.”

This tragic accident follows a string of recent aviation incidents, including a midair collision over Reagan International Airport last month that killed 67 people and a medical jet crash that claimed the lives of all on board.

Investigations into the Arizona crash are ongoing.