Michael Reinath,Linda Gifford Obituary, Death; – Investigators have disclosed the identities of the two individuals who lost their lives in a mid-air collision involving two aircraft over a southern Arizona airport last month. The Town of Marana has identified the deceased as 70-year-old Michael Reinath and 76-year-old Linda Gifford.
“On behalf of the Town of Marana and the Marana Regional Airport, we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy,” stated Airport Superintendent Galen Beem. “This incident is unprecedented, and we are thankful for the prompt response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District.”
According to investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II collided in mid-air at the Marana Regional Airport on February 19. Reinath and Gifford were aboard the Lancair and perished following a fire that erupted from the collision, as reported by authorities. The occupants of the Cessna sustained only minor injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration has classified the southern Arizona airport as an “uncontrolled field,” indicating the absence of an operational air traffic control tower. In the absence of a tower, pilots utilize a “common traffic advisory frequency” to communicate with others in the vicinity of the airport.
Investigations by Arizona’s Family have revealed that the Marana Regional Airport has experienced several near mid-air collisions. Pilots have reported close calls in 2017, 2020, and 2021, with two incidents of near mid-air collisions noted in both 2019 and 2024.
