MARANA, AZ – At least one person has died following a collision involving two planes at Marana Regional Airport, authorities confirmed.
The Marana Police Department (MPD) issued a statement confirming the fatality, stating:
“The Marana Police Department is currently on scene at the Marana Regional Airport, located at 11700 W. Avra Valley Rd., in response to an aircraft collision. There has been at least one confirmed deceased individual. Details are limited at this time. The FAA and NTSB will be responding to investigate the incident.”
According to police, both aircraft were occupied at the time of the crash.
However, the number of individuals onboard and the extent of any additional injuries have not yet been disclosed.
A local pilot at the airport reported that he was preparing to fly his aircraft to Payson, Arizona, when he was informed just before takeoff that the airport had been closed due to the accident.
A media staging area has been established in the large dirt parking lot outside Marana Regional Airport to facilitate updates for the press.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Further details will be provided as more information becomes available.