Overview
On February 19, 2025, about 0828 mountain standard time, a Lancair 360 Mk II, registration N3602M, and a Cessna 172S, registration N463ER, were involved in a mid-air collision near Marana Regional Airport (AVQ), Marana, Arizona. The Lancair was destroyed; the pilot and passenger on board were fatally injured. The Cessna sustained minor damage; the student pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The Lancair was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The Cessna was operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight.
Sequence of Events
The flight instructor on the Cessna stated that the purpose of the flight was a cross-country that departed from Chandler Municipal Airport in Chandler, Arizona. Upon arriving at AVQ, they entered the airport traffic pattern and performed a touch and go on runway 12, remaining in the pattern. Meanwhile, the Lancair entered the traffic pattern from the northwest. On its initial approach to runway 12, the Lancair executed a go-around due to conflicting traffic and remained in the pattern behind the Cessna.
While the Cessna was on downwind, the flight instructor announced over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) that they intended to perform a stop and go to practice a short-field landing and takeoff. The instructor reported an uneventful landing. During the subsequent takeoff, they heard the Lancair pilot announce on CTAF that he was going around again. The instructor observed ADS-B information on her iPad showing the Lancair converging from behind. As she began to key the radio to ask the Lancair pilot if he saw them, the two airplanes collided. The flight instructor then took control of the Cessna from the student and remained in the pattern for an uneventful landing on runway 12. The Lancair impacted terrain near a taxiway and became engulfed in flames.
Airport surveillance video and preliminary ADS-B data indicated that the collision occurred over the intersection of runways 12/30 and 3/21 at AVQ, about 150 feet above ground level.
Communications
Review of recorded CTAF communications revealed the following sequence:
- About 0825:14, the student pilot announced intentions to perform a stop and go landing.
- At 0825:41, the Lancair pilot transmitted, “traffic on base are you a touch and go?” The flight instructor replied, “we are a stop and go.”
- At 0826:05, the Lancair pilot advised they were turning left base; shortly after, the student pilot advised they were on final for a stop and go on runway 12.
- About 0827:51, the Lancair pilot advised they were on a one-mile final, and about 27 seconds later announced “going around again.”
- About 0828:41, the Cessna student pilot declared they were on upwind, followed by the flight instructor stating “Lancair Zero Two Mike” and an audible gasp. About ten seconds later, the Cessna declared an emergency.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the accident site showed that the Lancair came to rest on a heading of 100° magnetic, upright on the edge of a drainage culvert and taxiway. The wreckage sustained significant fire damage. A small debris field was found on runway 12, extending about 300 feet by 100 feet toward the airport segmented circle, containing fragmented pieces from the Lancair’s left wing tip, left aileron, aileron trim tab, and outboard wing skin. All major structural components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. The Cessna sustained minor damage to the propeller.