Chalks Ocean Airways Mallard Crash Update #2

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.

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