Two Planes Crash In Fatal Mid-Air Collision
MARION, Indiana (WHN) – Two single-engine aircraft collided in mid-air near the Marion Municipal Airport on Tuesday, killing both pilots and scattering wreckage across a wide area, federal and local authorities reported. The collision involved a Cessna 150 and a Cirrus SR22, which crashed south of the airport’s main runway.
The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. local time.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased pilots as David Witt, 73, of Marion, Indiana, who was operating the Cessna, and Kyle Wagner, 29, also of Marion, who was flying the Cirrus. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, the county coroner’s office confirmed.
Emergency crews were dispatched immediately. Responders from the Marion Fire Department, Marion General Hospital EMS, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office secured the perimeter of a debris field that spanned nearly a mile.
One witness working nearby told investigators he heard a “loud pop” and looked up to see debris falling from the sky. Both aircraft were believed to be operating under visual flight rules in clear weather conditions at the time of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a preliminary alert shortly after the event. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken lead on the investigation into the cause of the collision, an NTSB spokesperson stated.
Captain Ed Beaty of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office spoke to reporters near the scene. He described the incident as a “tragic day for our community,” noting that both pilots were well-known local residents who were flying for recreational purposes.
“These were two individuals from our community,” Captain Beaty said. “Our thoughts are with their families during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Cirrus SR22 was a newer model aircraft equipped with a whole-airframe parachute system, though initial reports did not indicate it was deployed. The Cessna 150 is a popular two-seat training aircraft.
Investigators from the NTSB arrived on site late Tuesday. Their immediate focus is documenting the wreckage and the crash site before the aircraft are moved to a secure facility for further examination. The airport, a general aviation facility, was temporarily closed to air traffic following the incident but has since reopened.
A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within the next several weeks. The full investigation, which will examine pilot records, aircraft maintenance logs, and air traffic control communications, could take 12 to 24 months to complete.
