Arizona, United States: Two individuals were killed when a single-engine aircraft crashed southwest of Tucson, Arizona, on the afternoon of June 19, 2025. Authorities have identified the deceased as a student pilot and his flight instructor. The aircraft, a Cessna A150K, had departed from Ryan Airfield earlier in the day for a routine training mission.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft involved was a 1970-model Cessna A150K, a two-seat, fixed-wing light aircraft commonly used for flight instruction. The plane took off from Ryan Airfield (RYN), located approximately 14 miles southwest of Tucson, and was scheduled for a local training flight.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft reportedly lost contact and was later discovered in a rugged, remote area near the Sierrita Mountains, close to the community of Green Valley. There were no distress calls received, according to preliminary reports.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the identities of the two occupants as Miguel Ornelas, 41, and Roberto Guerrero, 74. Ornelas, the student pilot, was the registered owner of the aircraft and held a student pilot certificate. Guerrero, a veteran instructor, was onboard in the capacity of flight instructor.
Recovery teams from the Sheriff’s Department and Pima County Search and Rescue reached the site with the assistance of aerial surveillance. Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are jointly conducting the investigation into the cause of the accident. The aircraft wreckage was found in a condition consistent with a high-impact crash, though no fire was reported.
Investigators have secured the crash site and are collecting evidence, including aircraft logs, maintenance records, and meteorological data from the time of the flight. The aircraft did not have a flight data recorder, as such devices are not mandated for this class of aircraft.
Witness statements and radar data are also being reviewed as part of the investigation. A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within two weeks, with a full investigation likely to take several months.
Authorities have not released further information pending the outcome of forensic examinations and interviews. No additional passengers were on board at the time of the crash, and there were no injuries reported on the ground.
The NTSB encourages any witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the aircraft’s final moments to contact their investigative team. Updates will be published through official channels as the investigation progresses.
