Tragedy struck Marana Regional Airport, northwest of Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when two single-engine aircraft collided midair, resulting in the loss of two lives. The collision involved a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but sadly, two individuals perished in the accident. Two others involved escaped without injuries. Authorities haven't yet specified which aircraft the deceased were aboard.
Debris from the midair collision at Marana Regional Airport. (KNXV)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that each plane carried two occupants at the time of the incident, which occurred around 8:25 a.m. local time. Marana Regional Airport operates without an active air traffic control tower, meaning pilots communicate their positions using a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). While pilots at such airports are responsible for maintaining safe distances, they must still adhere to all Federal Aviation regulations.
Emergency personnel at the crash site at Marana Regional Airport. (KNXV)
Investigators at a separate incident at Scottsdale Airport earlier in February. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
An aerial view of Marana Regional Airport. (Google Maps)
The location of Marana Regional Airport, approximately 20 miles northwest of Tucson.
Map showing the location of Marana Regional Airport.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly expressed his condolences on social media, noting that he frequently uses the airport. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are investigating the collision, with the NTSB leading the inquiry. This tragedy follows a series of aviation incidents in North America, including a Delta Air Lines crash landing in Toronto and a fatal midair collision near Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport.
