Chalk’s Ocean Airways Flight 101

Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Date: December 19, 2005
Aircraft: Grumman G-73T Turbo Mallard

Motley Rice has settled their cases on behalf of plaintiffs for the fatal Chalk’s Ocean Airways crash that occurred December 19, 2005 during a scheduled service flight from Miami, Florida, to Bimini in the Bahamas. The flight crashed in the Miami Beach Government Cut channel in Florida, killing all 18 passengers and two crew members.

The accident aircraft was manufactured in 1947 and although the current registration was in the name of Seaplane Adventures LLC, the flight was operated by Chalk’s Ocean Airways d/b/a Flying Boat Inc. According to the airline’s website, the fleet was “undergoing an extensive refurbishment program which includes complete mechanical overhaul and cosmetic renovation, in addition to all new interior appointments.” Chalk’s Airline is arguably the oldest airline in the world; its first scheduled operations began in 1919.

On December 22, 2005, The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) released photos of the fatigue cracks that were found on the right wing of the aircraft when it was recovered. The right wing had separated at the inboard section, at the wing/fuselage juncture, which is consistent with fatigue fractures. According to the NTSB database, the history for this type of aircraft lists four other incidents which consisted of one fatal flight that involved only the crew members on board in 1994. The accident aircraft only shows an incident report dated April 17, 1984, where the aircraft had problems with its landing gear but was able to make a successful landing without injury to those onboard. Available information shows five recent accidents: 1984, 1994, 2000, 2002 and 2005. The age of the plane and various Airworthiness Directives, bulletins, warnings and reports suggested aging aircraft and engine and propeller issues as significant issues in the investigation.