Midair Collision in Arizona Claims Two Lives Amid Series of Recent Aviation Incidents
A tragic midair collision occurred on February 19 at approximately 8:30 a.m. MST at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona, involving a Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S, both single-engine aircraft carrying two passengers each. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash resulted in at least two fatalities.
The Marana Police Department responded to the scene shortly after the incident, as stated in a Facebook post. Marana Regional Airport, located about 21 miles northwest of Tucson, operates without an air traffic control tower, according to NBC News.
This accident is the latest in a series of aviation tragedies across the U.S. In recent weeks, fatal crashes have occurred in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, as well as a commuter plane crash in rural Alaska.
Additionally, on February 10, a jet owned by Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil collided with a parked aircraft while landing at Scottsdale Airport. Neil was not on board at the time, but the crash claimed one life and injured four others. His attorney later expressed condolences, stating, “Mr. Neil’s thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today.”
More recently, on February 17, a plane departing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, crash-landed upon arrival in Toronto, Canada. The aircraft flipped upside down, but all 80 passengers miraculously survived. However, the experience left many shaken.
“Still a lot of stress,” said passenger John Nelson in an interview with CNN. “It’s amazing that we’re still here. Hope to not do that again.”
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
