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Midair Collision Over Atlantic Ocean Near Deerfield Beach, Florida (N4903F)

Deerfield Beach, FL, US

On June 17, 2003, a Cessna 172N (registration N4903F) was involved in an aviation accident near Deerfield Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: **This case was revised 6/10/2005 and 2/24/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident for details.** The failure of the pilot of N4903F, the Cessna 172, and the pilot of N759XA, the Cessna 182, to see and avoid each other while operating in Class E… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

Two Cessna aircraft collided in cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean near Deerfield Beach, Florida. Both airplanes were destroyed, and all occupants received fatal injuries.

Accident Overview and Location On the day of the incident, N4903F, a Cessna 172N, and N759XA, a Cessna 182Q, collided while in cruise flight. The midair collision occurred during daylight visual meteorological conditions in class E airspace over the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300 yards east of the Deerfield Beach pier in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The wreckage of both aircraft descended into the ocean and came to rest in about 38 feet of water. Both airplanes were destroyed, and all occupants received fatal injuries. Postcrash examination of both accident airplanes did not reveal any preaccident anomalies.

Midair collision

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jun 2003 Cessna 172N accident near Deerfield Beach, FL?

Two Cessna aircraft collided in cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean near Deerfield Beach, Florida. Both airplanes were destroyed, and all occupants received fatal injuries.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jun 2003 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N4903F, at Deerfield Beach, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

**This case was revised 6/10/2005 and 2/24/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident for details.** The failure of the pilot of N4903F, the Cessna 172, and the pilot of N759XA, the Cessna 182, to see and avoid each other while operating in Class E airspace, resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to…

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Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030625X00951. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.