On December 19, 2005, a seaplane operated by Chalk's Ocean Airways en route the Bahamas crashed shortly after takeoff from Miami, killing all 20 people on board.
The World War II-era Grumman G-73 Mallard had just lifted off when witnesses said they heard an explosion and then saw the plane break apart in the air. Amateur video showed what appeared to be the main fuselage slamming into the water, followed by a large ball of fire -- possibly one of its wings.
The accident ends a historic run for Chalk's Ocean Airways, which claims to be the oldest US airline and one that has never had a fatal crash with passengers on board. The airline got its start in 1919 as Chalk's Flying Service, named after auto mechanic Arthur B. Chalk.
The Grumman Mallard involved in the accident was built in 1947. The company said that it bought several of the rare seaplanes, which are considered large for today's use, in the late 1970s and retrofitted them with 17 passenger seats.
Grumman, now part of Northrop Grumman, built 59 of the planes through 1950. Like its name, the plane's profile resembles a duck with high fixed wings that sit taller than the cockpit windows and a fuselage with a low-hanging belly.
The Legal Rights of Families Whose Loved Ones Die in Airplane Disasters
We appreciate that this is a time of deep pain and grieving for the spouses, children and families of the passengers and crew who died in the seaplane crash. As time passes, you may have questions concerning how and why the crash occurred, your legal rights, compensation that is available to you, and the duties and legal responsibility of the aircraft operator or manufacturer, or other potentially responsible parties such as maintenance companies and government agencies.
Because the aircraft was in the course of an international flight, the rights of the passengers and their survivors are governed by the terms of the Montreal Convention of 1999, a treaty that has been adopted by both the United States and the Bahamas. Attorneys at LCHB are well versed in the terms of the Convention and can advise you on its application to your case.
For answers to frequently asked questions concerning aviation accidents, please click here.
Contact Lieff Global
Families whose loved ones died in this crash are welcome to contact Lieff Global to learn more about their legal rights without any charge or obligation. Please send us an e-mail message. Alternatively, you may telephone us toll-free at 1-800-541-7358 in the U.S., or 1-415-788-8000 from outside the U.S.
About Lieff Global, LLP
Lieff Global, LLP, is an AV-rated law firm with
offices in San Francisco and affiliate offices worldwide. Lieff Global
grew out of the rapid expansion of the international and aviation practices
at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, which Robert L. Lieff founded in 1972. Lieff Global represents survivors and families of victims who died in domestic and international aviation and maritime accidents, as well as foreign citizens in other types of actions.
Lieff Global is uniquely positioned to answer your questions and represent your interests. Our attorneys have over forty years of experience litigating airplane crash cases worldwide. We have relationships with the foremost experts in the fields of aviation safety and disaster analysis. Learn more...
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Families whose loved ones have died or been injured in an airline crash are welcome to contact an aviation lawyer at Lieff Global by email to learn more about their legal rights. Lieff Global is representing families whose loved ones died in various airline crash tragedies. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions free of charge, without obligation and in strict confidence.
Or call 415 788-8000 and ask to speak to attorney Lexi Hazam.
