Two people lost their lives as two small aircraft, a Cessna 172S and Lancair 360 MK II, collided near the Marana Regional Airport at 8:28 am (local time) at Arizona airport
Arizona midair collison: Two people lost their lives as two small aircraft, a Cessna 172S and Lancair 360 MK II, collided near the Marana Regional Airport at 8:28 am (local time) at Arizona airport on Wednesday, CNN reported, citing authorities. In a news release, the Town of Marana announced that two people were on each plane, however, the condition of other passengers is yet remains unknown.
One of two runways at the airport said that the fixed-wing single-engine planes “collided while upwind of runway 12.” The NTSB said the Cessna landed “uneventfully”, and the Lancair affected terrain near the other runway and “a post-impact fire ensured.”
Here’s what officials said
Airport Superintendent Galen Beem said, “On behalf of the Town of Marana and the Marana Regional Airport, our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by this event.” Beem said, “This is an unprecedented event, and we are grateful for the swift response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said that the airport, being an “uncontrolled field,” does not have an operating air traffic control tower.
US witnesses multiple air crashes this year
The year 2025 has not been good for the USA’s aviation sector as several deadly plane crashes and mid air collisions have occurred. The midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29 was one of the deadly incidents which claimed the lives of 67 people due to a collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional.
Since then, four other aviation incidents have highlighted concerns regarding air safety, including the crash of a medevac plane in Philadelphia, an aircraft that crashed near Alaska’s Nome, killing 10 people; a private plane that ran off the runway in Arizona’s Scottsdale, killing the pilot on board; and a Delta Air Lines regional jet rolled over on the runway after arrival in Toronto.
(With inputs from ANI)
Also Read | Toronto Plane Crash: Officials Reveal Shocking Details in Delta Plane Crash That Left 19 Injured
