Accident Overview
On April 11, 2026, at approximately 1330 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, registration N529ND, and a Raytheon Aircraft Company B200 (King Air) airplane, registration N699BW, collided in flight near Marathon, Florida. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the Cessna and minor damage to the King Air. The two pilots aboard the Cessna and the two pilots and four passengers aboard the King Air were not injured. The Cessna was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, and the King Air was being operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight.
Flight Paths and Communications
Preliminary air traffic control communications and ADS-B data from the FAA indicated that the King Air departed Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, inbound to the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH). About 20 nautical miles northeast of MTH, the pilot requested cancellation of their instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. After the cancellation was acknowledged, a frequency change was approved. Air traffic control advised the King Air pilots of traffic flying in the opposite direction at 15 miles and 5,500 feet, “following the keychain.” The King Air pilots subsequently changed their transponder code from a discrete code to 1200, the standard code for visual flight rules (VFR) operations, as they were descending from about 11,000 feet mean sea level (msl).
The Cessna pilots reported flying northeast at 5,500 feet msl, about 10 miles northwest of MTH, operating VFR with flight following. Air traffic control notified them of unknown traffic ahead at 12 o’clock and 1 mile, descending out of 6,200 feet msl. Immediately after the traffic advisory, the Cessna pilot reported that “we had a midair collision,” declared an emergency, and returned to MTH for landing.
Collision and Damage
The Cessna pilots stated that they briefly observed the King Air immediately before the collision but were unable to take evasive action. The pilot of the Cessna advised the controller of left wing damage and control difficulties, requesting emergency services upon landing. The pilot in command of the King Air reported scanning for traffic when he observed the Cessna immediately before impact. He attempted evasive action; however, the left engine, wing, and propeller of the King Air impacted the left wing of the Cessna. This impact caused substantial damage to the Cessna’s wing and aileron. The outboard 36 inches of the Cessna’s left wing was sheared off and crumpled, with the aileron remaining partially attached and bent aft. The King Air sustained minor damage to the left propeller, engine intake, and the leading edge of the left wing.
Aftermath
Both airplanes landed safely at Marathon International Airport and were retained for further examination following the collision.