Aircraft Maintenance Safety Fatality File

Chalk’s Flight 101 

On Dec. 19 2005, Chalk’s Flight 101 lost its right wing shortly after takeoff and plunged into a shipping channel off Miami beach, Florida. The plane, which burst into flames, was captured on video during its final moments. Everyone on board was killed, including three infants. The cause of the accident was a metal fatigue failure in the right wing initiated by a crack. The crack had been detected and seemingly repaired earlier by the maintenance team, but the repair was eventually to prove ineffective. The safety board, in its final report on the probable cause of the crash, noted numerous maintenance-related problems on the plane and another company aircraft, raising questions about Chalk Ocean’s maintenance practices. The NTSB also found evidence of improper repairs and undocumented maintenance. After the accident, the remaining fleet were found to be suffering from severe corrosion with many showing signs of sub-standard repair during maintenance.