Michael Reinath, Linda Gifford Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the two people who died in a midair collision involving two small planes last month at Marana Regional Airport, located near Tucson, Arizona. The crash, which occurred on February 19, is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Victims Identified
Police confirmed that the victims were 70-year-old Michael Reinath and 76-year-old Linda Gifford, both residents of Rio Vista, California. Reinath was the registered owner of the single-engine Lancair 360 MK II involved in the collision, according to FAA records.
Details of the Collision
Officials stated that each aircraft carried two people at the time of the crash. One of the planes managed to land safely without injuries, while the Lancair, with Reinath and Gifford aboard, crashed near the runway and caught fire.
Airport surveillance footage, released by the town of Marana, captured the tragic moment. The video shows the Lancair plummeting to the ground before erupting into flames, sending thick black smoke into the air. Another angle of the footage reveals the second plane climbing in altitude just as the collision occurred.
Recent Aviation Accidents
The Marana midair collision is one of several aviation incidents that have occurred in recent months.
Just over a week before the crash, a plane accident in Scottsdale resulted in the death of one of two pilots aboard a private jet owned by Vince Neil, the lead singer of Mötley Crüe. The aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into a nearby business jet.
In late January, the United States witnessed its deadliest aviation disaster since 2001 when 67 people died in a midair collision in Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter.
Additionally, on January 31, a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood. The aircraft exploded upon impact, engulfing multiple homes in flames. Seven people, including everyone on board, lost their lives, while 19 others sustained injuries.
Ongoing Investigation
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continue to investigate the Marana collision, working to determine the factors that led to the fatal crash. Authorities have not yet released any findings regarding the cause of the accident.
As investigations proceed, the aviation community mourns the loss of Reinath and Gifford while seeking answers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
