Two people lost their lives following a mid-air collision between two small planes at Marana Regional Airport near Tucson, Arizona. The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Marana Police. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the incident involved a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II, both single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that there were two people on board each aircraft. While the individuals in one plane survived without requiring hospitalization, both occupants of the other aircraft were killed. Officials confirmed that neither of the planes was based at Marana Regional Airport.
Robert Traylor, a local pilot, was preparing for a flight to Payson, Arizona, when he was informed that the airport had been closed due to the crash. He mentioned that he had already warmed up his plane when he received a radio call about the closure.
Authorities are actively seeking information from any witnesses who may have seen the collision. Marana Police Sergeant Vincent Rizzi emphasized that investigators are collecting witness statements and reviewing any available video footage to determine the cause of the crash. Both the FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.
In a preliminary statement, the FAA confirmed that the mid-air collision occurred at an uncontrolled airport, meaning Marana Regional Airport does not have an active air traffic control tower. At such airports, pilots rely on a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to communicate their positions to others in the vicinity. Despite the absence of a control tower, pilots are still required to adhere to federal aviation regulations, including visibility requirements, minimum safe altitudes, and right-of-way rules.
The town of Marana has been working on establishing an airport control tower, but opinions on the necessity of such a measure vary. Traylor expressed skepticism, suggesting that while some believe a tower would improve safety, he views it as a potential inconvenience for certain pilots.
Federal investigators have arrived at the scene, and the airport will remain closed until further notice. This marks the second plane crash in the Marana area since October 2024. The previous incident involved a small plane that crashed into two homes following equipment failure, though no injuries were reported.
