Non-fatal Incident (tbd) – Boeing 737-8H4 (WL), N8517F / Bombardier Challenger 350, N560FX, Chicago-Midway Airport (MDW/KMDW), Chicago, IL, February 25, 2025
ASX Investigation | ||||
On the morning of February 19, 2025, a mid-air collision occurred near Marana Regional Airport in Arizona, involving a Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (N463ER) and a Lancair 360 MK II (N3602M). The accident took place at approximately 08:28 local time, during the landing phase of the Cessna’s flight. The Cessna had departed from Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD/KCHD) for a training session, while the Lancair’s departure location remains unclear. The Marana Police Department confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the collision, though their identities have not yet been publicly disclosed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a joint investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that Marana Regional Airport operates as an uncontrolled field, meaning it lacks an active air traffic control (ATC) tower. Pilots in such environments rely on a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for communication and must visually monitor other aircraft in the vicinity. This lack of direct ATC oversight raises concerns about situational awareness and traffic coordination at the airport. According to ADS-B flight data, both aircraft were on approach to Runway 12 at Marana Regional Airport when the Lancair began closing in on the Cessna. Witness accounts and recorded data suggest that after landing, the Cessna initiated a takeoff while the Lancair attempted a go-around maneuver. Their flight paths intersected just southeast of Runway 3/21, leading to the collision. The Lancair subsequently crashed, while the Cessna, despite sustaining damage, managed to return and land after completing an additional traffic pattern. Eyewitness testimony corroborates the sequence of events, with reports describing a split-second decision by the Cessna’s instructor to maintain flight control following the impact. The FAA has confirmed that two people were aboard each aircraft, and the Lancair’s occupants were the fatalities in this incident. The Cessna’s crew, consisting of a flight instructor and a student pilot, survived the encounter. Weather conditions on the day of the crash were clear with good visibility, ruling out adverse meteorological factors as a contributing cause. Investigators are now focusing on pilot situational awareness, traffic pattern adherence, and potential communication failures as primary areas of concern. Given that Marana Regional Airport serves both general aviation and training operations, there is a high density of mixed-experience pilots operating in the area, increasing the risk of airspace congestion. Historical data on mid-air collisions in uncontrolled airspace suggests that failure to maintain proper traffic separation and misjudgment of aircraft trajectories are common precursors to such incidents. The NTSB’s ongoing analysis will evaluate radio communications, aircraft visibility, and possible noncompliance with FAA right-of-way regulations. Additionally, the delayed construction of an ATC tower at Marana Regional Airport, initially proposed to enhance safety, remains a topic of debate among aviation safety analysts. The outcome of this investigation will likely impact future FAA policies on air traffic management at uncontrolled airports, potentially leading to stricter operational guidelines or investment in additional airspace monitoring technologies. The final report from the NTSB is expected to provide recommendations on improving collision avoidance measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This accident underscores the critical need for heightened vigilance and procedural discipline in non-towered airport operations. While the surviving crew’s actions likely prevented further loss of life, the event highlights ongoing safety challenges in training environments and high-traffic general aviation airports. Investigators will continue to analyze flight data, pilot interactions, and procedural compliance to determine the probable cause and contribute to safer operational standards in the aviation industry. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 0 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 0 |  |
Aircraft Information | ||||
Aircraft Type | Operator | Registration | Serial Number(s) Boeing 737 – 63594/6207 – – – – – – – Challenger 350 – 20886 | Manufacture date 737 – 2016 – – – – – – – Challenger – 2022 (approx) |
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 | Additional | Official Preliminary Report | Official Final Report | |