Chalks Amphibian down in Miami

[Warbird Pilot]

Without wishing to prejudge it . I would be thinking in terms of structural failure rather than an inflight fire causing wing failure. The aircraft wasn't airborn for long and I don't think a fire could have caused enough damage to the spar area that quickly. The U.K media have reported it as an engine failure causing it which is equally unlikely.
Very sad for the families lost and for the guys of Chalks who I am sure did everything they could .

I wouldn't be so sure. I have a friend who used to fly S-2 Trackers. I think he said they had like 20 seconds (I could be off on the exact time) to get a fierce accessory fire out before it reached the spar area before the wing broke. I would imagine most airplanes are similiar.

[RickH]

Some of the eyewitnesses said that they saw the plane trailing smoke, then saw the fire, then an explosion in the engine, then the wing seperated. The wing portion I saw laying on the jetty was heavily blackened. That didn't look like it could have happened after seperation, it was pretty well cooked.

[Matt Gunsch]

a S-2 that was lauched off a carrier had a engine fire, by the time it made a very tight down wind, the gear had fallen from the well, parts were falling off and they ended up ditching, no way they could have made it back to the deck. It can burn thru a spar that quick. think of a fuel fed by fuel, then fanned by 100+ mph wind.

[Paul Krumrei]

Let me put my analyst hat on for a minute.

Would a spar failure, NOT totally, cause enough pressure in the wing to start a fire from broken fuel lines, engine being vibrated to cause that fire, and then total failure?

What are the common faults, are they; fire destroying the spar, or the spar breaking, causing a fire, then total seperation?

Sorry to hear about the crash, god bless them all on board, may god take them in his arms and hold and keep them.

[Ollie]

Guys, can't you let the NTSB do its job on this one or are you all going to give them a ring and offer them advice?

[krlang]

Hmmm,

One eyewitness reported that looked like it was going brrrrrpppp, brrrrpppp, brrrpppp!
Another reported seeing a loud bang and a clunk, then a sploosh!
And, dont forget the first reports of survivors on the beach.

Never listen to the "Experts" in the media, they are there because they know more than the shows producers!

Whether its metal fatigue or an engine fire I'm sure we will all find out, and it will hopefully change the way we do things so it does not happen again. (and again, and again...)

Sad to see it happen, especially to them. I was on the back of the Disney boat a while ago watching one land and taxi through Nassau. Its a neat way to travel, a glimpse into a bygone era, and most of all, "Boats are cool!"

Our Condolences to the victims of this accident, and our hearts go out to the families of the crew that were there doing their jobs.

[systemofadown1162]

This will sound dumb but what is a spar?

[Broken-Wrench]

The Main structrual part of a wing to which everything else is attached. You need to get a basic Aircraft handbook.

[Rob Mears]

The spar is the plane's "back bone", so to speak. It's the primary attachment point for all of the load bearing components in the wing (ribs, skins, etc), and it ultimately ties the wings and fuselage together as well.

[TimAPNY]

CNN (for what they are worth) reports a crack in the main spar.

is this a/c basically a civilian Albatross (UH-16)?

[marine air]

The aircraft in question is a Frake's G-73T Turbine Mallard remanufactured in Texas probably in the 1970's or 1980's. It started life in the post war 1940's as a Grumman G-73 with P&W R-1340's of 600 hp. with three bladed Hamilton Standard props. (Similar to DHC Otter) There were only about 59 built and many of those are long gone due to accidents, corrosion, hurricanes, etc. The retrofit has PT-6's which greatly increases the power and lightens the aircraft. The aircraft also has other wing and fuel modifications including the sponsons can carry fuel. (I think 60 gallons but not sure on that)
I've been told the stock version is the best amphib out there and I've also been told it's underpowered. The turbine version is supposed to be the "hot rod." of the Grumman flying boats. Remember it was designed after the Bearcat and Tigercat and Grumman was at the top of their game.
It was never used by the military and was eclipsed by the HU-16 Albatross. It's bigger thean the Goose and smaller than an Albatross. Chalks tried the Albatross briefly in the 1980's but operating costs were too high.

[Forgotten Field]

I recommend that you find a WWII US Army technical manual, TM1-410 "Aircraft Structures," which explains the basics of how an airplane goes together and what makes it up. Usually run from $1.00 to $10.00 and easy to find. Below is a link to an auction right now on ebay which has a pile of the TM 1-400 series, which are all about basic aircraft and aviation subjects. They are worth picking up if you are interested in this stuff and are not highly collectible so are affordable. I recommend buying the 1942 or later versions of the manuals, as they are better illustrated than the 1939 or 1940 ones.

Ebay Auction for WWII Aircraft Manuals

[systemofadown1162]

Thank you Forgotten Field.

[Broken-Wrench]

CNN reports a crack in the main spar. "Someting like this spar failure, wing fuel tank ruptures and resultant fire, wing seperates." Been there saw that! That's why I'm broken wrench King of all Mechanics!

[krlang]

Hey Tim,

As far as size goes the grumman lieup went:

Duck
Widgeon
Goose
Mallard
Albatross

The mallard was just a little smaller than the Albatross.
we have a PT-6 powered one that stops in here from time to time.