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Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman Mallard Crash
December 19, 2005, Miami, Florida - A Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard seaplane has crashed just offshore Miami, Florida, today at around 2:30 pm local time. The plane came down close to the cruise ship terminal just after it departed.
Updated reports indicate 20 passengers and crew were aboard. The United States Coast Guard has confirmed at least 19 fatalities. There is a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) "Go Team" on the way to Miami to investigate.
At least one report indicates the plane exploded or was otherwise on fire prior to impacting the ocean. Rescue and recovery efforts continue.
The Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard is a twin-engine amphibious aircraft, powered by two Pratt and Whitney-Canada PT-6 turbine engines.
The Turbo Mallard is capable of operating from water as well as land-based airports.
The interior of the Grumman accommodates 17 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin on routes between Florida and the Bahamas.
The aircraft has a cruising speed of 200 MPH.
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December 20, 2005, Miami, Florida - A crane has lifted part of a Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard seaplane that crashed yesterday just offshore Miami, Florida, killing all 20 passengers and crew aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it will wait until tomorrow to recover the rest of the plane. There was a cockpit voice recorder but it remains unreachable in the wreckage of the Mallard's tail.
Numerous eyewitness accounts and some photographic evidence indicates the plane exploded or was otherwise on fire along its wing prior to impacting the ocean. It is possible a wing or other large structure departed the aircraft prior to its plunge into the sea.
The Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard is a twin-engine amphibious aircraft, powered by two Pratt and Whitney-Canada PT-6 turbine engines.
The Turbo Mallard is capable of operating from water as well as land-based airports.
The interior of the Grumman accommodates 17 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin on routes between Florida and the Bahamas.
The aircraft has a cruising speed of 200 MPH.
December 21, 2005, Miami, Florida - The crash investigation of Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard seaplane continues with clues into the condition of the aircraft at the time of the accident starting to come to light.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the latest revelations indicate there were one or more cracks in the wing spar of the Mallard which went undetected by the operator, Chalk's Ocean Airways.
Mark Rosenker, acting chairman of the NTSB, said it would take "a very serious" inspection to have discovered the cracks in light of their location. He said that he did not think Chalk's knew of the cracks prior to the accident, but that the cracks should have been discovered and repaired. He did not say that the cracks were the reason the wing separated from the aircraft nor did he state it was the primary reason for the accident.
Chalk's Ocean Airways has grounded their entire sea plane fleet.