What happened
On April 11, 2026, at approximately 1330 EDT, a Cessna 172S, registration N529ND, and a Raytheon Aircraft Company B200 (King Air) collided in flight near Marathon, Florida. The Cessna was operating as a Part 91 instructional flight, while the King Air was conducting a Part 91 business flight. All four occupants in the King Air (two pilots and two passengers) and the two pilots in the Cessna were not injured.
According to air traffic control communications and ADS-B data, the King Air departed Marsh Harbour (MHH), Bahamas, bound for Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH). While descending through approximately 11,000 feet MSL, the King Air pilots requested to cancel their instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Air traffic control notified the King Air crew of traffic flying in the opposite direction at 5,500 feet. Following this advisory, the King Air pilots changed their transponder code from a discrete code to 1200.
The pilots of the N529ND were flying northeast at 5,500 feet MSL, approximately 10 miles northwest of MTH, operating under visual flight rules (VFR) with flight following. After air traffic control notified the Cessna crew of unknown traffic ahead, the pilot reported a midair collision, declared an emergency, and returned to MTH. The Cessna pilots noted they saw the King Air briefly before the impact but could not take evasive action. Upon landing, the pilot reported left wing damage and control difficulties.
The King Air pilot reported scanning for traffic and seeing the Cessna immediately before the impact. The pilot attempted evasive maneuvers, but the King Air's left engine, wing, and propeller struck the left wing of the Cessna. The collision sheared off the outboard 36 inches of the Cessna's left wing and damaged the aileron. The King Air sustained minor damage to its left propeller, engine intake, and left wing leading edge. Both aircraft landed safely at MTH and were retained for examination.