Two confirmed dead after a plane crashed at Marana Regional Airport (AVW), Tuscon, Arizona. The Marana Police Department said in a news release that no other aircraft were involved in this incident.
The Incident
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane crashed while attempting to land at the Marana Regional Airport, on April 8, 2026.
The aircraft was a single-engine Piper PA-32R-301T and departed from the Springerville Municipal Airport (KJTC), Arizona. The flight was said to be for “personal reasons” according to the FAA. The victims were later identified as businessman, Chris Sheafe, and his wife, Jacque.
Around 5:15 p.m. local time, the Marana police responded to the airport following reports of a downed aircraft.
The cause of this incident is unknown; the FAA report said the:
“aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA were investigating the incident as this crash was the third one in two days in Arizona, and the only fatal one. This was also the second fatal crash in just over a year at the airport, which is northwest of Tucson.
Police and Fire Department
The police update reads:
“Marana Police officers responded to Marana Regional Airport, located at 11770 W. Avra Valley Road, following reports of a downed aircraft. Preliminary information indicates that two individuals aboard the aircraft have been confirmed dead and have not been identified. No additional injuries have been reported. No other aircraft were involved in the incident.”
Marana Police spokesperson, Ashley Alvarez, told Tucson-based KVOA :
“For it to happen again is very tragic for us and our hearts are with the families of those who were involved,”
City spokesperson, Vic Hathaway, told the outlet that an air traffic control tower will be constructed at the airport next year.
Want to keep up-to-date with incidents such as this? Follow Travel Radar for Breaking Aviation News.
