A deadly mid-air crash involving two planes claimed the lives of two people at the Marana Regional Airport last month. Authorities have since identified those fliers as Michael Reinath, 70, and his passenger, Linda Gifford, 76. The cause of the collision remains unknown, but witnesses suggest the pilots were squabbling before the crash.
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According to a report by 13 News, neither of the small aircraft involved in the collision were based at Marana Airport. One plane crew died, while the other vehicle's occupants escaped unscathed.
Per a report by KVOA, a witness flying with his instructor saw an explosion from the collision while he was in the air. "The first plane was doing a low fly-by, and the second plane had come down the runway to do a take-off," the witness explained. The pilots were allegedly arguing over the radio, with one exclaiming, "You cut me off," shortly before the crash.
The witness told the outlet that the victim's plane was hit in the tail by the other, sending it crashing to the ground. A second witness, a flight instructor, said, "I heard a male state over the radio that he was not going to land and was going around again. I heard a female come over the radio screaming 'Mayday.'"
A Witness Blames The Lancair Pilot For The Crash
The report by 13 News explains that the crew that survived the ordeal was in a Cessna. They were practicing 'touch down' maneuvers at the time and noticed another plane behind them. The Lancair pilot, Reinath, allegedly said he was going to abort the landing. The Cessna pilot assumed the other pilot would veer off. Per the Daily Mail, one witness on the ground blamed Reinath, saying he cut in front of the Cessna, damaging his tail in the process. They also said 'it was a miracle' the Cessna pilots weren't also killed.
The Marana Regional Airport does not have an Airport Control Tower, relying on pilots to maintain contact with each other. It may sound unsafe, but it's common on smaller airfields. A local pilot, Robert Traylor, reportedly told 13 News that the airport is working to get a tower. He's is unconvinced it will make the area safer.
