TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Two people were killed in a mid-air collision at the Marana Regional Airport early Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The Marana Police Department said the crash happened about 8:30 a.m. and involved two single-engine, fixed-winged aircraft.
The planes were a Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S.
There were two people on each aircraft. The two people killed were in the same plane and the other two people walked away without having to go to the hospital.
The town of Marana confirmed that neither plane was based out of the airport.
NTSB is investigating a mid-air collision between Cessna 172S and Lancair 360 MK II near Marana, Arizona.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) February 19, 2025
Marana PD Sgt. Vincent Rizzi said the department is looking for information from any witnesses who saw the crash.
“That’s going to be part of it, taking witness statements,” Rizzi said. “You know, if there’s video, trying to figure out what happened today.”
Robert Traylor, a local pilot, told 13 News he was about to fly to Payson, Arizona, and was told just before takeoff that the airport had closed.
“I had my little airplane warmed up, and they called me on the radio saying oh the airports closed,” Traylor said.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating. The NTSB’s preliminary report should could out in less than a month.
In a preliminary statement, the FAA said “A Lancair collided in midair with a Cessna 172 at Marana Regional Airport… Marana Regional Airport is an uncontrolled field. Two people were on board the Lancair and two people were on board the Cessna 172. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.”
To provide background information about its statement the FAA said “an uncontrolled field” is an airport that does not have an operating ATC control tower. Pilots utilize a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to regularly announce their position to other pilots who are in the airport vicinity. The Pilot-in-Command is responsible for maintaining safe separation from other aircraft. Pilots operating into uncontrolled fields are still required to comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations, including minimum visibilities, minimum safe altitudes, and right-of-way rules.
The town of Marana is working to get an airport control tower – however, Traylor isn’t sure if that would be a good thing.
“I don’t know if that would make this airport any safer. You know, they seem to think so,” Traylor said. “It’s just a hindrance to some of us folks.”
Federal investigators have arrived and the airport will be closed until further notice.
It was the second plane crash in the Marana area since October 2024.
On Oct. 8, a small plane crashed into two homes following an equipment failure. There were no reported injuries.
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