MIAMI – The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered owners and operators of the model of seaplane that crashed off Miami Beach last week to conduct detailed inspections of their planes’ wings.
Although it has not been determined what caused the fatal Chalk’s Ocean Airways crash on Dec. 19, investigators said they found a fatigue crack on the main structural part of the wing that separated from the fuselage before the plane plummeted into the ocean.
The FAA order noted that such damage “will likely lead to wing failure.”
“This condition, if not corrected, could result in structural failure of the wing and loss of control of the airplane,” according to the FAA directive.
The directive involves Frakes Aviation Model G-73 series planes and G-73 model planes that have been converted to have turbine engines. The planes, including the one that crashed, were originally manufactured by Grumman and are also known Gulfstream American G-73’s.
The mandatory inspections apply to 41 planes around the world, 37 of them in the United States. FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said overseas planes would be included because of international agreements involving U.S.-manufactured airplanes.
Chalk’s, which has four G-73’s remaining, is the only commercial air carrier using them. None of the G-73 seaplanes will be allowed to fly until it complies with the inspections.
The inspections could involve removing repairs on the wings and removal of sealant from the interior of the wet bays, or fuel cells. Any cracks or corrosion on the wings must be repaired.
Frakes Aviation in Cleburne, Texas, is also developing “non-destructive” inspection procedures that would use technology such as X-rays, Bergen said. Plane operators can wait until those methods are available, expected within the next 45 days, before proceeding.
Last week, Chalk’s grounded its fleet for inspections. The plane that crashed and killed 20 was built in 1947.
Bergen said Chalk’s and other owners and operators will have to come up with inspection methods that comply with FAA requirements and are tailored to their individual planes.
The FAA must approve those plans and the owners and operators must report their findings to the FAA.
Chalk’s could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.
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(c) 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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AP-NY-12-30-05 1944EST
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