Two killed after small planes collide midair in Arizona

Thursday, February 20, 2025

At least two people have died after two small planes collided midair near an airport in Arizona, police said. A Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II, both fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft, had two passengers each aboard when they collided at Marana Regional Airport, north-west of Tucson, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.

Posted by REDIAL at 12:10 AM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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I read the Cessna 172S was a student and CFI. Also The Lancair 360 MK II is a really fast plane, which contributed to the accident.

Colliding while "upwind"of runway 12.

They entered the pattern at about the same time, Lancair giving good spacing, but after two touch and go's each the Lancair was in a precarious location behind the 172.

Lancair was probably going pretty fast given the ADSB data, continually "harassing" the 172. (thats how I describe it, when another faster plane is breathing down your neck)

While the 172 was doing a touchNgo #2, the Lancair was #2 on final, and did a go around because it was coming up behind the 172, too close. Lancair should have sidestepped, which is SOP. But the Lancair didn't, and hit the 172 wingtip to wingtip.

#1 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-20 12:52 AM | Reply

So another DEI kill. Figures.

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-20 12:54 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

So another DEI kill. Figures.
#2 | POSTED BY REDIAL

How so?

#3 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-20 01:35 AM | Reply

Ask you master.
Bow wow.

#4 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-02-20 05:28 AM | Reply

Sounds like a case of a low wing aircraft being behind and higher than a high wing aircraft, making it difficult for either pilot to see the other plane. One afternoon, flying a C172, I was in a climbing left turn after taking off and suddenly another plane - low wing - went streaking in front of me - left to right -, maybe 100-150 feet higher than our pattern altitude of 800'. I was on the CTAF for the uncontrolled airport I flew out of, announcing position/intentions, but doubt this person was monitoring it. Because of the high wing on my plane,I couldn't see him as I made my turn unitl he was in front of me. Way too close.

#5 | Posted by HeeHaw at 2025-02-20 11:05 AM | Reply

Idk.

They were both on approach/final, with close separation.

Maybe the Lancair didn't expect the 172 to do a touchNgo.

There was an incident in Reno which is exactly as you describe. But I think the Lancair had visual of the 172 (down the runway) in this case. Given they did a couple of laps together in the pattern.

#6 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-20 11:47 AM | Reply

So another DEI kill. Figures.
#2 | POSTED BY REDIAL

How so?

#3 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

It's "common sense" bro.

Get with the progrom.

Damn that DEI!

#7 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-20 11:54 AM | Reply