The crash of a Chalk’s Ocean Airways Grumman G-73T Turbo Mallard on Dec. 19, 2005, was due to failure of the amphibian’s right wing. According to the NTSB, the wing separated because of “the failure of the Chalk’s Ocean Airways maintenance program to identify and properly repair fatigue cracks in the right wing and…the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to detect and correct deficiencies in the company’s maintenance program.” The G-73T is a Mallard modified with Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engines and additional passenger seating.
The NTSB held a public meeting on May 30 to discuss the probable cause statement, conclusions and recommendations stemming from the Chalk’s accident. The final report on the accident will not be released until the NTSB makes revisions to the report. The Safety Board has released factual material from its investigation of the accident. Two pilots and 18 passengers were killed after the right wing broke off the Mallard shortly after takeoff near the Port of Miami, Fla., for a flight to Bimini, Bahamas.
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