Two people are dead after a midair collision between two small planes at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona, authorities said. The collision occurred at 8:28 a.m. near the airport, which is located just northwest of Tucson. A Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II were involved in the collision, with the Cessna landing safely and the Lancair crashing to the ground and catching fire. The Marana Police Department confirmed two deaths from the incident, with two people on each plane, according to the Town of Marana.

The airport is currently closed while the investigation is ongoing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with an investigator expected to arrive on Thursday to document the scene and examine the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also responding to the incident. The collision is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in recent weeks, including a midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people. Despite these incidents, preliminary data from the NTSB shows that there was a record low number of airplane accidents nationwide among private and commercial flights in January.

The Marana Regional Airport is an uncontrolled field, meaning it does not have an operating air traffic control tower. Pilots use a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency to announce their position to other pilots in the airport vicinity. Pilots operating in uncontrolled fields are still required to comply with all federal aviation regulations, including minimum visibilities, minimum safe altitudes, and right-of-way rules. The incident highlights the importance of air safety and the need for pilots to be vigilant when operating in uncontrolled fields.

Here are some key points about the incident: * Two people are dead after a midair collision between two small planes at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona * The collision occurred at 8:28 a.m. near the airport, which is located just northwest of Tucson * A Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II were involved in the collision * The airport is currently closed while the investigation is ongoing * The NTSB is leading the investigation, with an investigator expected to arrive on Thursday to document the scene and examine the aircraft * The FAA is also responding to the incident * The collision is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in recent weeks, including a midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people.

The incident is a reminder of the risks involved in aviation and the need for continued vigilance and safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring. The investigation into the collision is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days. In the meantime, the airport remains closed, and the community is coming to terms with the loss of life. The Town of Marana has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and is cooperating fully with the investigation.