What happened
A twin-engine aircraft departed from Fort Lauderdale, carrying a pilot and three passengers, en route to Tallahassee. During the cruise phase of the flight at 1-2,500 feet, the plane encountered a US Air Force Douglas F-4E Phantom II, registration 67-0255. The fighter jet was operating under the call sign 'Reed 11' as part of a three-aircraft training exercise originating from Homestead AFB. While the fighter crew was descending to enter a restricted zone for low-level gunnery practice, the two aircraft collided outside of the designated restricted airspace.
Following the impact, the civilian aircraft entered a dive and crashed within the Brighton Indian Reserve. The collision resulted in four fatalities among the occupants of the twin-engine plane. On the military aircraft, one pilot was killed, while the second pilot managed to eject safely but sustained injuries. Both aircraft were completely destroyed during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the collision identified that the crew of the 'Reed 11' flight failed to maintain sufficient visual vigilance to detect and avoid the light aircraft. Additionally, investigators noted a discrepancy in mission protocols; specifically, the use of VFR descent procedures into the Avon Park gunnery range was inconsistent with established regulations, which required flights to be conducted under IFR conditions unless such a change would increase accident risk.