Plane down outside of MIA, 17 on board (+2 crew)

C

Chris_Ford

Well-Known Member
A "Twin engine amphibian with P&W PT6s" is down off of Miami Beach. Being covered by all the major news networks. Allegedly a frequent flyer between MIA and the Bahamas. Also reports of "plane exploded in a fireball before falling into the water."

To quote Drudge: "Developing..."
 
At least 6 bodies recovered, now reports of only 14 on board. Plane flies from "Downtown Miami" to the Bahamas...
 
Watching it on local news right now. They said the weather is beautiful, but just a little north here in Boca Raton it is overcast.
 
This is really bad news for Chalk's, very small airline that has been around in one form or another since the 1920's. I used to watch their planes take off from downtown Miami (Watson Island) and it was the most beautiful way to watch a plane take off. 20 people on board now. This was the only crash with Pax on board.
 
Just so you guys know, I just flew back in from TLH when this happened. The skies are 900-1200 ovc, and no wind. Ive flown Chalk's numerous times, and was also friends with the previous owner's son so this hits a little close to home. Also, one of the pilots who graduated from ATP who I see almost every week is a pilot with them, but thankfully I was able to confirm he was not flying today. This is a real sad day for Chalks. They have had an impeccable record, and their pilot are professional and talented. I'm in shock :(
 
They fly out of FLL all the time. We had a couple ATP instructors go there. my condolences to the families
 
are they mentioning at all as to what happened? it doesn't sound as though it's too weather related.
 
Not weather. The weather is calm, just cloudy. Someone supposedly got a digital pic of the wing enveloped in smoke (or something like that), so we'll see. On a good note I found out the ATP guys werent onboard
 
I've got a friend that flies there. Can't reach his cell... who knows. This is the down side of the industry I guess. They are calling it 20 on board with 19 bodies recovered. From reports and "aviation experts" (are there any really?) it sounds like it lost a wing in flight. Whether it lost the wing due to an explosion or an explosion was caused due to the lose of a wing is up in the air. Ah... that's not a very good pun. Either way, not a very good day for Chalks.
 
Cell phone pic from MSNBC:

051219_crashpic_hmed_2p.standard.jpg


Seaplane crashes off Miami
 
The video of the crash is absolutely horrible. (available off the main page of CNN.com)

It catches fire while it's in a spin. That's wretched. Really looks like the wing did fall off.

edit: the engine is on fire, not the airplane...
 
props to CNN who ran text over their awesome live coverage which read "small hydroplane crashes...."

condolences to family and friends.
 
The seaplanes are prone to corrosion from the salt water. Is that what this looks like now? Corrosion resulting in structural failure?
 
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