Carrier To Fly B1900s As Mallards Upgraded

It won't be nearly as romantic... but after being grounded for nearly a year in the wake of a fatal accident, Chalk's Airlines is set to resume flights between Miami and the Bahamas on November 9, using land-based planes instead of its famous flying boats.

The airline has been grounded since December 19, 2005 when the right wing broke off one of its Grumman G73 Turbine Mallard seaplanes shortly after takeoff, killing all 20 of its passengers and crew.

The FAA grounded all 37 Mallard seaplanes flying in the US when it was discovered that many had fatigue cracks in the wing structures of the 50-year-old planes. The agency has yet to approve a procedure to repair the problem... so Chalks' four remaining Mallards won't be flying any time soon.

In the meantime, Chalks will begin flying leased 19-seat Beech 1900 turboprops to the Bahamas, and eventually other locations throughout Florida. The airline will also go by a new name: Chalk's International Airlines, instead of the past Chalk's Ocean Airways.

The Miami Herald also reports negotiations between lawyers for Chalk's and for the families of the crash victims on how to divide a proposed $51 million settlement have reached a possible solution.

A filing in US District Court says both sides have agreed to terms... and, if approved, all claims against the airline could be settled by December 15.

FMI: www.flychalks.com