Two single-engine fixed-wing planes collided midair at the Marana Regional Airport Wednesday morning around 8:30 a.m., according to the Town of Marana. A press release from the town says four people total were on the two planes.
Two people in a Lancair 3600 were killed in the crash. The two in a Cessna 172 were uninjured, according to the town of Marana. KGUN 9 was on-scene following the story throughout the day.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are investigating.
KGUN 9’s Craig Smith provides insight into the type of plane involved in the crash, and the investigation that will take place:
The plane destroyed in the crash was a Lancair 3600. It’s a kit plane but that does not mean it’s unsophisticated. It’s a very modern design made mostly of composite materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass.
PHOTO OF CRASHED LANCAIR PLANE:
The Lancair 3600 has a reputation as a high-performance plane best left to a highly experienced pilot.
Investigating this sort of plane crash is a little similar to the way police might investigate a fatal car wreck.
They will look at the wreckage and probably pull some of it into a lab for close analysis.
In this case, there’s no black box on a small plane.
They will seek out witnesses, look for any camera that may have caught the crash, listen to radio traffic, and look at radar tracks. It’s not a quick process.
For example, a crop duster crashed into a Marana neighborhood in October.
Five months later, the NTSB has just a preliminary report with just a few details. A final report is still pending and probably several months away.
Marana Airport superintendent Galen Beem issued the following statement:
“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. This is an unprecedented event, and we are grateful for the swift response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District.”
I fly out of this airport often, including just a few days ago. My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families. My team and I are tracking this incident as we await more information. https://t.co/r9kfr4mfhO
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) February 19, 2025
According to an FAA statement, the two planes in Marana collided in midair. Two are confirmed dead. Two people were on board the Lancair and two others were on board the Cessna 172. Helicopter footage from Scripps News Group shows the Cessna intact: