Do more U.S. airports need control towers? That's one of the questions that has arisen following a midair collision at an airport in southern Arizona last week.

At least one person is dead after a midair collision involving two small planes in southern Arizona, authorities said Wednesday.

At least one person is dead after a midair collision involving two small planes in southern Arizona, authorities said Wednesday. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the collision near a small airport on the outskirts of Tucson. The Marana Police Department confirmed one death after responding to the crash.

Tens of thousands of planes take off, land and perform touch-and-goes at the Marana Regional Airport in southern Arizona every year. Without an air traffic control tower, it's a calculated dance that requires communication by pilots.