Two people tragically lost their lives in a mid-air collision involving two small planes near Marana Regional Airport in Arizona. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 19 at about 8:28am EST, prompting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Small Planes Involved in Fatal Arizona Crash
The aircraft involved in the fatal mid-air collision have been identified as a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II, both single-engine, fixed-wing airplanes, according to a statement released by the NTSB.
Currently, the NTSB is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mid-air collision. Preliminary information is suggesting the aircraft collided while upwind of runway 12 at Marana Regional Airport.
Details of the Arizona Plane Crash
The NTSB report indicates that the Cessna 172S managed to land safely after the collision. Tragically, the Lancair 360 MK II crashed near runway 3, resulting in a post-impact fire. Authorities have not yet released information about the victims of this deadly Arizona small plane crash.
The specific models of the aircraft, the Cessna 172S and the Lancair 360 MK II, are key elements of the NTSB investigation. Investigators will be examining the wreckage and flight data to determine the cause of the mid-air collision.
Recent Aviation Accidents and What It Means Safety Concerns
This tragic mid-air collision in Arizona is the latest in a series of recent aviation accidents. That have kept happening since December 2024. These incidents, including a helicopter collision with an American Airlines plane in Washington DC, a small medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia, and a Delta Air Lines flight incident in Toronto, have raised concerns about aviation safety.
The US aviation sector recently called on Congress for emergency funding to improve its air traffic control technology and address staffing shortages.
