Grumman G-73T N150FB

Summary

On 18 March 1994 at about 16:43 local time, a Grumman G-73T registered N150FB, operated by Chalks Int'l Airlines, was involved in an accident near Key West, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 March 1994 at 16:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Key West, Florida, United States

Coordinates

24.5494, -81.7797

Aircraft

Grumman G-73T

Registration

N150FB

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Chalks Int'l Airlines

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA94FA097

2 people died.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE THE BILGES WERE ADEQUATELY PUMPED FREE OF WATER (ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHTED), WHICH RESULTED IN THE AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMIT TO BE EXCEEDED, AND FAILURE OF THE AIRCREW TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE WATER LEAK.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE FLIGHTCREW HAD COMPLETED A 14 CFR PART 135 CHARTER FLIGHT AND HAD LANDED IN THE HARBOR AT KEY WEST, FLORIDA. THEY HAD MOORED THE SEAPLANE AND DEPARTED. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, THEY REBOARDED THE SEAPLANE TO FLY IT TO AN AIRPORT FOR REFUELING, THEN TO RETURN TO THE HARBOR TO BOARD THE PASSENGERS. DURING TAKEOFF, THE SEAPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH NOSE UP, ROLL LEFT, AND CRASH NOSE DOWN IN THE HARBOR. DUE TO THE DAMAGE DONE BY TIDAL FLOW AND RECOVERY ATTEMPTS, THE EXACT CONDITION OF THE AFT BILGE DRAIN PLUGS WAS UNKNOWN. DURING A CHECK OF THE CVR RECORDING, THE CREW WAS NOT HEARD TO CALL OUT THE BILGE PUMPS DURING THE BEFORE-TAKEOFF CHECKLIST. AFTER LIFT-OFF, BOTH PILOTS MADE COMMENTS ABOUT KEEPING THE NOSE DOWN DUE TO WATER IN THE AFT PORTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.