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?
	Private pilots must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time The actual average is about 65 hours), including 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours solo. Pilots trained according to accelerated curricula defined in Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations may be certified with a minimum of 35 hours. Private pilots may not fly for hire but may share equally with their passengers the direct expenses of a flight – specifically, fuel, oil, airport transient parking/landing fees, and aircraft rental charges.