Chalks Ocean Airways Mallard Crash Update

December 20, 2005, Miami, Florida - A crane has lifted part of a Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard seaplane that crashed yesterday just offshore Miami, Florida, killing all 20 passengers and crew aboard.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it will wait until tomorrow to recover the rest of the plane. There was a cockpit voice recorder but it remains unreachable in the wreckage of the Mallard's tail.

Numerous eyewitness accounts and some photographic evidence indicates the plane exploded or was otherwise on fire along its wing prior to impacting the ocean. It is possible a wing or other large structure departed the aircraft prior to its plunge into the sea.

The Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard is a twin-engine amphibious aircraft, powered by two Pratt and Whitney-Canada PT-6 turbine engines.

The Turbo Mallard is capable of operating from water as well as land-based airports.

The interior of the Grumman accommodates 17 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin on routes between Florida and the Bahamas.

The aircraft has a cruising speed of 200 MPH.

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