Grumman Mallard
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| Grumman Mallard | |
|---|---|
| Sideview of G-73 Turbo Mallard | |
| Type | Amphibious Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation |
| Maiden flight | 1946-04-30 |
| Status | In sevice |
| Primary user | Chalk's Ocean Airways (4) |
| Produced | 1946-1951 |
| Number built | 59 |
| Unit cost | $115,000 |
The Grumman G-73 "Mallard" is a large, twin-radial engine amphibious aircraft. Many have been modified by replacing the radial engines with turboprop engines. It was manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation from 1946 to 1951, when it was replaced by the Grumman HU-16 "Albatross".
Currently, this aircraft has dubious fame in the media due to a fatal crash of the type that occurred on Monday, December 19, 2005. Eighteen passengers and two crew perished when the right wing of a Chalk's Ocean Airways G-73T Turbo Mallard separated from the fuselage in flight. En route to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas, the aircraft disintegrated and subsequently fell into the Atlantic Ocean just south of Miami Beach, to the horror of onlooking beach-goers. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined by the NTSB, but some evidence suggests a cracked and/or corroded wing spar due to incorrectly sized rivets being fitted. Amateur video of the accident was aired on all the major news services.
[edit] Specifications
- Crew:: 2, pilot and co-pilot.
- Length:: 48 ft 4 in (14.7 m)
- Wingspan:: 66 ft 8 in (20.3 m)
- Load:: 3500 lb (1588 kg)
- Range:: 1120 nautical miles (2070 km)
- First Flown: April 30, 1946
- Powerplant:: 2 x 550 hp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp H
- Cost:: $115,000
- Number produced:: 59
[edit] Military Operators
Comparable aircraft:
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