Arizona Plane Crash: Two Aircraft Collide Midair, Resulting in Two Confirmed Deaths — Details

A midair collision over Marana Regional Airport (MRA) in Arizona has prompted the involvement of federal investigators, with preliminary information now available. This incident marks the latest aviation mishap in the state, following a previous fatal crash in Scottsdale.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the collision occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, involving a Lancair and a Cessna 172 operating in uncontrolled airspace over Pima County. Authorities confirmed that two individuals lost their lives at the scene.

The FAA noted that Marana Regional Airport is classified as an uncontrolled field, indicating the absence of a control tower to oversee takeoffs and landings.

Officers from the Marana Police Department (MPD) arrived at the crash site near 11700 W. Avra Valley Rd. shortly after the incident. In an initial statement on Facebook, the department indicated, “There has been at least 1 confirmed deceased individual. Details are limited at this time,” later revising the number to two confirmed fatalities.

MPD reported that both aircraft were single-engine, fixed-wing planes, each carrying two occupants. In an official statement, Airport Superintendent Galen Beem extended condolences, stating, “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.”

The airport superintendent characterized the crash as an “unprecedented event” and expressed gratitude to the Marana Police and Northwest Fire District for their prompt response. Neither aircraft was stationed at MRA, which is currently closed to operations.

Local news outlet KGUN 9 confirmed the incident after consulting with airport personnel. The station subsequently shared video footage on X (formerly Twitter), depicting the aftermath and corroborating the two fatalities.

Readers of AmoMama expressed their shock and concern regarding the incident. One reader remarked, “Unbelievable!!” while another stated, “Omg that’s crazy🙏🏻.” A third individual questioned, “Where are the Air Traffic Controllers??”
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a frequent user of the MRA, expressed his reaction to the recent collision on X (formerly Twitter) and extended his support to those impacted. He indicated that his team was monitoring the situation closely.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations, with the NTSB taking the lead role. The incident occurred amid reports of delays in the construction of a new air traffic control tower at MRA.

As reported by KGUN 9, the control tower was initially scheduled for completion by late 2024. Greg Sendlak, Project Manager for Public Works in the Capital Improvement Division, stated, “We were already 18 months behind.” He further explained, “Currently, we are in the midst of our environmental assessment. We still need to complete it, followed by the design and construction phases. It is impossible for us to meet the December 2024 deadline.”

The project has encountered additional delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing the expected completion date to 2029. The control tower is deemed a priority given the airport’s intricate traffic patterns. “There is more activity here than is apparent,” Sendlak emphasized, highlighting the necessity for enhanced coordination.

The airport initially joined the FAA’s Federal Contract Tower Program in December 2019, which provided a five-year timeframe for studies and construction. Following further delays, officials reapplied in March 2024, obtaining an additional five-year extension.

With the reapproval, progress has accelerated. “Our sighting study is complete, and we anticipate finishing our environmental assessment next year, allowing us to commence the design phase,” Sendlak noted, looking ahead to 2025.

The estimated cost of the project is between $17 million and $18 million, with 91.06% of the funding sourced federally, 4.47% from the State Transportation Aviation Division, and the remainder provided by the town.
The collision at Marana Regional Airport was not an isolated event; merely weeks prior, another deadly accident transpired at Scottsdale Airport, also located in Arizona.

As reported by the FAA, a Learjet 35A deviated from the runway and collided with a stationary Gulfstream 200 business jet at Scottsdale Airport on the afternoon of February 10. According to Fox 10 Phoenix, Scottsdale Fire Captain Dave Folio confirmed that five individuals were involved in the incident. One person lost their life, two others sustained critical injuries and were transported to a trauma center, another individual suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while one person opted not to receive medical attention.

The FAA indicated that the crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., leading to a temporary halt of flights at the airport. By 2:50 p.m., the airport communicated via X (formerly Twitter) that the accident took place upon arrival at runway 21. Officials confirmed that the Gulfstream 200 was situated on private property at the time of the collision. Emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and FAA investigators, promptly arrived at the scene.

Spokesperson Kelli Kuester suggested that the probable cause of the crash was a failure of the left main gear during landing, which led to the incident. Consequently, the runway remains closed, as noted on Scottsdale Airport’s official X page. Mötley Crüe manager Allen Kovac assured that Neil was unharmed and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, while also expressing gratitude that Rain and Ashley are safe. He mentioned that the band is exploring ways to assist those affected by this tragedy.

In the meantime, the airport management issued a statement on X, recognizing the incident. The statement conveyed, “Our thoughts are with everyone that has been impacted by this tragic event.”