Aircrafts collide in midair near Arizona airport; authorities say at least 1 dead

MARANA, Ariz. (NEXSTAR) — Authorities in Arizona are investigating a deadly “aircraft collision” in Marana.

Just before 12 p.m. MST on Wednesday, police in Marana confirmed the collision at the Marana Regional Airport, located about 20 miles outside of Tucson. They initially reported that at least one person dead, but later confirmed to local outlet KGUN that two people had died.

“Details are limited at this time,” the department said in a Facebook post.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement to Nexstar, said the two planes — a Lancair and a Cessna 172 — “collided in midair” at around 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday morning. There were two people in each plane, the FAA said.

The agency, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will be investigating.

The FAA further noted that Marana Regional Airport is considered an “uncontrolled field,” meaning it does not have an air traffic control (ATC) tower. Rather, pilots flying in the field are responsible for communicating their positions to other aircraft operators.

Marana Regional Airport did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment.

Images shared on social media purportedly from the crash scene show smoke rising in the air.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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