All Aboard Presumed Lost

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 12.19.05 2045 EST: Video evidence that shows the Chalk's Grumman Mallard in the last few seconds before impact seems to confirm eyewitness reports of a structural failure. The aircraft shows itself involved in a significant airframe fire while still airborne and a large piece of the aircraft separated from the airframe. All persons and flight crewmembers aboard the aircraft are confirmed dead.

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 12.19.05 1745 EST: An NTSB Go Team is rushing to Miami to investigate the scene of an accident involving a Chalk's Ocean Airways Mallard. Authorities now say there were 19 people onboard the aircraft -- 17 passengers and two crew -- and that 14 people have been confirmed dead. Earlier reports of survivors have yet to be confirmed... although it isn't looking good.

Witnesses report a large explosion was heard immediately after the aircraft took off from Miami (earlier reports indicated the aircraft had been landing) and many say the Mallard was on fire when it impacted the water. Some report the fire started near the aircraft's right engine, and there are unconfirmed reports the wing may have separated.

Chalk's Ocean Airways was established 85 years ago. According to media reports, until today the airline's only other fatalities occurred in 1994, when the pilot and copilot of another Mallard were lost off Key West.

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 12.19.05 1600 EST: There are confirmed reports of eight dead in the downing of a Chalks's Ocean Airways Mallard as it was landing in Miami following a flight from the Bahamas. Sixteen passengers and three crew members were aboard the aircraft, according to Fox News.

A number of small boats and jetskis on the scene when the plane went down in Government Cut assisted Coast Guard and Miami Fire Department efforts to recover bodies from the accident scene. There was initially a large debris field from the accident, although much of the field has been dispersed by strengthening currents in the Cut.

Local reports say 12 bodies have recovered from an accident just off the coast of Miami Beach, where a seaplane carrying as many as 18 onboard went down at approximately 2:45 pm EST.

There are conflicting reports as to any survivors, with varying reports of two to six passengers now at local hospitals.

Coast Guard CPO Dana Warr told CNN he witnessed the aircraft take off, and nothing seemed unusual. He then saw a plume of black smoke, however, and warning bells sounded.

"I get chills, thinking I saw this aircraft and everything seemed okay... and then we're on a rescue effort," said Warr.

Three Coast Guard boats and choppers searching the water for additional survivors. The aircraft went down in Government Cut, the channel that ships take past South Beach into the Port of Miami.

The seaplane was flying for Chalk's Ocean Airways. According to the Chalk's website, the airline was founded in 1939 and today flies a fleet of PT-6-equipped Grumman G73 Mallards (above) to the Bahamas and Nassau from Miami.

FMI: www.flychalks.com