06-03-2025
2 victims of Marana plane crash identified. What to know
Marana town officials identified the victims in the Lancair 3600 that crashed last month at the Marana Regional Airport as 70-year-old Michael Reinath and 76-year-old Linda Gifford, according to a statement released on the town's website.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that two small aircraft, a Lancair and Cessna 172, collided midair on Feb. 19 over the Marana Regional Airport, north of Tucson. The Marana Regional Airport does not have an air traffic control tower, the FAA said.
The crash involved two single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft above Marana Regional Airport. Two people were on board each aircraft, and one of the planes was operated by a flight school.
The Cessna was on approach when it was struck from behind by the Lancair, the FAA posted on its website.
The two people in the Cessna 172 were uninjured in the crash. The plane was operated by the Chandler location of AeroGuard Flight Training Center.
The Cessna landed safely. The Lancair crashed near runway 3 and a fire ensued, a National Transportation Safety Board statement said.
The NTSB is leading the investigation and receiving help from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Airport superintendent Galen Been said, in the news release, "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," and "this is an unprecedented event, and we are grateful for the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District."
The crash investigation remains ongoing.
A crewed tower was supposed to be in place at the Marana airport by the end of 2024 to accommodate an increase in traffic and improve safety. The completion of the tower was pushed back to March 2025 because of supply chain and other problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Vic Hathaway, communications manager for the town of Marana.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Identities of victims in Marana plane crash released
