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This is good news to hear about our Chalks - thanks RR.

condolences to all the victims and families....

I just got back home and logged in right away to see if there was any news. I'm so glad "our" Chalks is ok.

Still more prayers and phin power to the families of those lost. Such a terrible tragedy...

This is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved. My heart goes out to the families of everyone whose lives were lost.
Hopefully the accident proves to be a fluke and the airline will be able to recover.

my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved!!!

I feel badly for all involved, but this is probably no fluke.

Anytime you employ an aircraft on a daily basis that was built in 1948, you're tempting fate.
To ask a craft to endure the rigors of daily flight for that long is asking a heckuva lot, given the aerodynamic stresses involved.
You can inspect and inspect again, but there can be no assurances that these aircraft, getting older and older, are going to continue to withstand
the the natural effects of such service and not fail, sometimes (sadly) catastrophically.

Again, I feel terrible for the victims and their families,
but this certainly won't be the last time we see this, if standards for aircraft's safe "lifespan" aren't better considered as ALL modern aircraft age.

Lightning Bolt wrote:I feel badly for all involved, but this is probably no fluke.

Anytime you employ an aircraft on a daily basis that was built in 1948, you're tempting fate.
To ask a craft to endure the rigors of daily flight for that long is asking a heckuva lot, given the aerodynamic stresses involved.
You can inspect and inspect again, but there can be no assurances that these aircraft, getting older and older, are going to continue to withstand
the the natural effects of such service and not fail, sometimes (sadly) catastrophically.

Again, I feel terrible for the victims and their families,
but this certainly won't be the last time we see this, if standards for aircraft's safe "lifespan" aren't better considered as ALL modern aircraft age.

I must say that whatever brought this aircraft down was not made in 1948.
As part of Chalk's refurbishment program I'm sure that any part that showed extensive wear or fatigue, was replaced. The engines and entire fuel system were jet - replacing the original radial/piston system. Basically, when put into service, it was a zero-time aircraft, almost as good as new.
I may be proved wrong; this is just my 2 cents.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and members of Chalks airways affected by this tragedy. - BCD

I have been to Bimini several times and flown on the Mallard to get there.

I have to say that the people of Bimini are the the warmest and most friendly I have ever met anywhere. It is such a special place and close-knit community. No one on the island would be left untouched by the tragedy.

My heart aches for what they are going through. It will be a very sad Christmas there for everyone. The good news is that I know they will take care of each other and get through it together.

ChalksOps, my condolences to you on the loss of your co-worker/friends.

.....fins at half mast....

I concur that aircraft parts are replaced with new parts, engines are overhauled , rebuilt with new parts, inspected every 100hrs or less etc..

This aircraft was not just built 60 yrs ago and have been flying around since without being taken care of.

Do you know how old some of those iron birds you fly in to get to Key West are? Or the planes to get you overseas or cross the country?

pirateat30 wrote:I concur that aircraft parts are replaced with new parts, engines are overhauled , rebuilt with new parts, inspected every 100hrs or less etc..

This aircraft was not just built 60 yrs ago and have been flying around since without being taken care of.

Do you know how old some of those iron birds you fly in to get to Key West are? Or the planes to get you overseas or cross the country?

Looks like I may be wrong - the latest report shows there was a crack in the wing spar, most likely the cause of the separation. That may not be good news for the rest of the fleet. - BCD