Arizona Plane Collision: 2 Dead

THE NEWS

Two individuals died on February 19, 2025, following a midair collision between two small planes at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona, marking the latest incident in a troubling series of aviation accidents across North America.

The crash involved a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II, both single-engine aircraft, which collided near an uncontrolled runway. The Lancair crashed and ignited a post-impact fire, killing its two occupants, while the Cessna landed safely without injuries.

The airport, located 21 miles northwest of Tucson, operates without an air traffic control tower, relying on pilots to self-report positions via a shared frequency. A long-delayed project to construct a control tower, initially slated for 2024, has been postponed to 2029 due to pandemic-related disruptions.

TIMELINE

February 19, 2025: Midair Collision at Marana Regional Airport

• 8:25 a.m. MST: A Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II collide midair near Runway 12.

• The Lancair crashes into the ground near Runway 3, erupting in flames. Both occupants are killed.

• The Cessna lands safely on Runway 12; its two occupants escape unharmed.

• 8:35 a.m.: First responders arrive to extinguish the fire and secure the crash site.

• 9:15 a.m.: Marana Police confirm two fatalities and close the airport temporarily.

• 11:00 a.m.: The NTSB and FAA announce investigations into the collision, citing the lack of a control tower as a potential factor.

REACTIONS

Galen Beem (Airport Superintendent): “Our hearts go out to the families impacted. This is an unprecedented event, and we’re grateful for the swift emergency response”.

Vic Hathaway (Town Communications Manager): Highlighted community efforts to fast-track the delayed control tower, citing rapid regional growth and reliance on Marana to alleviate Tucson Airport congestion.

WHAT'S NEXT

On Monday, new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that Elon Musk's SpaceX team would be visiting the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia on Tuesday, in order to "get a firsthand look at the current system, learn what air traffic controllers like and dislike about their current tools, and envision how we can make a new, better, modern and safer system."

The NTSB investigation of the D.C. plane crash is still ongoing, with more details on what led to the catastrophe likely to emerge over the coming weeks and months.