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Savipix · 19-12-2005, 22:36

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/19/miami.crash.ap/index.html

Seaplane crashes off Miami Beach
Rescue crews search waters after propeller craft goes down

Miami (Florida)
Air and Space Accidents
Airlines
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Manage Alerts | What Is This? MIAMI BEACH, Florida (AP) -- A seaplane carrying at least 16 people crashed off Miami Beach within sight of the city's high-rises Monday, killing at least 12 of those aboard, authorities said.

Scuba divers and rescuers in speedboats struggled to reach the victims.

Because of witness reports of an explosion before the propeller-driven plane went down, the FBI sent agents to assist in the investigation, but there was no immediate indication of terrorism or sabotage, said Judy Orihuela, spokeswoman for the FBI's Miami field office.

"It's too soon to say whether we are going to get involved," Orihuela said. "We're just going to check it out."

The Chalk's Ocean Airways plane went down around 2:30 p.m. in a channel used by cruise ships. The Coast Guard said it was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members, while the local Fire Department said 17 passengers and two crew members were aboard.

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil said at least six bodies were recovered.

Javier Otero, Miami Beach Fire Department support services chief, said there were survivors, but it was not immediately clear how many.

"We're still trying to get people out of the water," Otero said.

Law enforcement officers searched for victims via boats and helicopters and were joined by others in private boats, on Jet Skis and on surfboards.

A witness, Frank Amadeo, told WSVN-TV that he saw a huge explosion in the sky and the plane fall behind a condominium tower on Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach.

The Coast Guard said the cause of the crash was not immediately known, and it could not confirm whether there had been an explosion. The National Transportation Safety Board said it will investigate.

Otero said the plane was one that regularly flies to and from the Bahamas, but he did not immediately know whether the aircraft was incoming or outgoing.

TV helicopter footage showed debris in Government Cut, the channel that ships take past South Beach into the Port of Miami.

Chalk's Ocean Airways was founded in 1919. Its floating planes take off on the water. Chalk's aircraft have been featured in TV shows such as "Miami Vice."

Founded by Arthur "Pappy" Chalk, the airline thrived during Prohibition, taking bootleggers, their customers and customs agents to Bimini.

One of its planes was hijacked to Cuba in 1974 and the company has since had a policy of not carrying enough fuel to get to Havana.

Two years later, the airline was sold to Resorts International, which owned properties on Paradise Island. Donald Trump bought it in 1988 and sold it a few months later to Merv Griffin. The owner as of 1995 was Seth Atwood of United Capital Corporation of Illinois/Atwood Enterprises.

According to FlightSafe Consultants' Airline Safety Web site, Chalk's has had no known fatal accidents. Similarly, the NTSB database shows no fatal accidents for Chalk's since 1982, when the database started.

The airline had no comment after the crash.

19-12-2005, 22:36	#1
Savipix ScanFlyer Rusty Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 7,477	12 döda i flygolycka http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/19/miami.crash.ap/index.html Seaplane crashes off Miami Beach Rescue crews search waters after propeller craft goes down Miami (Florida) Air and Space Accidents Airlines or Create Your Own Manage Alerts \| What Is This? MIAMI BEACH, Florida (AP) -- A seaplane carrying at least 16 people crashed off Miami Beach within sight of the city's high-rises Monday, killing at least 12 of those aboard, authorities said. Scuba divers and rescuers in speedboats struggled to reach the victims. Because of witness reports of an explosion before the propeller-driven plane went down, the FBI sent agents to assist in the investigation, but there was no immediate indication of terrorism or sabotage, said Judy Orihuela, spokeswoman for the FBI's Miami field office. "It's too soon to say whether we are going to get involved," Orihuela said. "We're just going to check it out." The Chalk's Ocean Airways plane went down around 2:30 p.m. in a channel used by cruise ships. The Coast Guard said it was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members, while the local Fire Department said 17 passengers and two crew members were aboard. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil said at least six bodies were recovered. Javier Otero, Miami Beach Fire Department support services chief, said there were survivors, but it was not immediately clear how many. "We're still trying to get people out of the water," Otero said. Law enforcement officers searched for victims via boats and helicopters and were joined by others in private boats, on Jet Skis and on surfboards. A witness, Frank Amadeo, told WSVN-TV that he saw a huge explosion in the sky and the plane fall behind a condominium tower on Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach. The Coast Guard said the cause of the crash was not immediately known, and it could not confirm whether there had been an explosion. The National Transportation Safety Board said it will investigate. Otero said the plane was one that regularly flies to and from the Bahamas, but he did not immediately know whether the aircraft was incoming or outgoing. TV helicopter footage showed debris in Government Cut, the channel that ships take past South Beach into the Port of Miami. Chalk's Ocean Airways was founded in 1919. Its floating planes take off on the water. Chalk's aircraft have been featured in TV shows such as "Miami Vice." Founded by Arthur "Pappy" Chalk, the airline thrived during Prohibition, taking bootleggers, their customers and customs agents to Bimini. One of its planes was hijacked to Cuba in 1974 and the company has since had a policy of not carrying enough fuel to get to Havana. Two years later, the airline was sold to Resorts International, which owned properties on Paradise Island. Donald Trump bought it in 1988 and sold it a few months later to Merv Griffin. The owner as of 1995 was Seth Atwood of United Capital Corporation of Illinois/Atwood Enterprises. According to FlightSafe Consultants' Airline Safety Web site, Chalk's has had no known fatal accidents. Similarly, the NTSB database shows no fatal accidents for Chalk's since 1982, when the database started. The airline had no comment after the crash.