June 17, Deerfield Beach, Fla. / Cessna 172 and Cessna 182

At about 1950 eastern time, a Cessna 172N and a Cessna 182Q collided while in cruise flight about 300 yard east of the beach at Deerfield Beach. The collision killed the pilot and two passengers in the 172 and the pilot and passenger in the 182. Both flights had originated at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The 172 took off at about 1835 and the 182 at 1940. The airplanes were flying in opposite directions. Witnesses said the southbound airplane was a little lower than the northbound airplane, and just before collision the southbound airplane banked as if to take evasive action. The raised wing struck the higher airplane and sheared off. The northbound airplane flew a little longer before crashing into the water.