Grumman G-73T accident near Key West, FL
On March 18, 1994, a Grumman G-73T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Key West, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 18, 1994
- Place
- Key West, FL
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-73T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 24.549°N, 81.780°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00946
Official records · MIA94FA097
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 1994 about 1143 eastern standard time, N150FB, a Grumman G-73-T, operated by Chalks International Airlines, crashed on takeoff in Key West Harbor, Key West, Florida. The previous flight was a 14 CFR Part 135 charter flight that had been completed and the airplane was on the 14 CFR Part 91 positioning leg at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was destroyed and the two pilots received fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses stated they observed the seaplane take off from the water in the harbor area, and as the airplane climbed to about 100 feet the airplane pitched up, rolled left and crashed nose down in a left roll. The seaplane came to rest on the bottom of the harbor in about 30 feet of water. The seaplane was recovered on March 20, 1994. The crew had arrived in Key West Harbor with 13 passengers about 1010, and had disembarked the passengers. The crew moored the airplane and had gone ashore. The crew returned to the airplane about 1130, and were planning on a short flight to Key West Airport for the purpose of refueling. A review of the cockpit voice recorder indicated that the first officer was the pilot flying, and the checklist for start, run-up, and takeoff was partially accomplished. Shortly after liftoff the airplane was observed by witnesses to pitch up abruptly. The cockpit voice recorder also indicated the captain, and first officer noted the nose pitching up, and the captain was heard
Probable cause
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.
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Browse: Florida · Grumman aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
