Aviation News

Miami Florida Aviation Accident Report

On December 19, 2005, about 2:39 p.m. eastern standard time, a Grumman G-73T Turbo Mallard seaplane, N2969, operated by Flying Boats Inc. DBA Chalks Ocean Airways, as Flight 101, experienced an in-flight breakup and crashed near Miami, Florida. The flight had just departed from the Watson's Island seaplane base (X44) and was en route to Bimini, Bahamas. Witnesses, photos and video, and examination of the wreckage indicate that the right wing separated in flight, and an ensuing fire, prior to the seaplane descending into the water near a rock jetty. The 2 crewmembers and 18 passengers, including 3 infants, were fatally injured. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The seaplane was originally manufactured in 1947 as a Grumman Mallard, equipped with Pratt and Whitney radial piston engines. In 1979 the seaplane was modified by Frakes Aviation, in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificates SA2323WE and SA4410SW to increase the seating capacity from 10 to 17 passengers, and to replace the original engines with Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turboprop powerplants. The seaplane entered into service with Chalks in 1980.

Initial wreckage examination indicated that the right wing separated near the root. Preliminary metallurgical examination has located evidence of fatigue cracking in the lower rear wing spar cap, along the lower wing skin, and on an internal z-stringer. Additional evidence of fatigue cracking has been noted in the corresponding area on the left wing.

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	Did You Know?
	Commercial pilots must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 250 hours of flight time 190 hours under Part 141, including 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in airplanes, 100 hours as pilot in command (of which 50 hours must be cross-country flight time). They must hold an instrument rating (or be restricted to flying for hire only in daylight, under visual flight rules, within 50 miles of the originating airport). They may fly for hire in accordance with applicable parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations.