A seaplane mini-airline is on the rocks after a crash in Miami, Florida last month. The wing broke off a Grumman Mallard operated by Chalk’s Ocean Airways shortly after take-off , the pilot and 19 passengers were all killed in the crash.

Investigators have found cracking in the main wing spar and the FAA has issued an Emergency Air Directive compelling all operators of the type to have the wing inspected. Chalk’s is the only commercial operator of the Mallard and has grounded its remaining three aircraft.

The 1947 Grumman G-73T took off from Chalk’s Watson Island seaplane base for a flight to the Bahamas. Seconds later, it broke apart in a ball of fire and fell into the sea. Amateur video showed the right wing falling off. Chalk’s Ocean Airways has been around since 1919. “We are a close-knit, family airline, and most of our passengers have been our customers for an extended period of time,” said Chalk’s manager Roger Nair. W: www.flychalks.com