The historic Chalk's Airlines went out of business shortly following a December, 2005 crash of one of its Mallards at Miami Harbor Government Cut. All of its seaplane services were grounded, with wet leased land craft services filling in for a very short time. It was last known as Chalk's Ocean Airways, after being purchased by a former Eastern Airlines captain, from bankrupt Pan Am II in 1999. Chalk's, America's oldest continually operating airline flew under the Chalk's Banner from 1926-1996 The airline, founded by Pappy Chalk, had several owners including Pan Am II. Incidentally, the "Ocean" in the airline's name was from a major investor, Miami's Ocean Bank. For a time, Chalk's discontinued its one of a kind seaplane service from its Watson Island Sea Base in Miami Beach to Bimini and Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Key West service was discontinued some years back. The terminal, a small building and a trailer for customs, couldn't accommodate more than 2 aircraft at a time though I never saw more than one. At the end of the day, the Mallard's were flown to Ft. Lauderdale for over-nighting. It was quite a rush to fly this venerable institution as well as watch it take out from a boat. The coast guard created a clean path for the plane taking off next to the massive cruise ships, where it reaches VR at usually 300 feet or so. What a wonderful, one-of-a-kind adventure this was. December 19, 2005: A Chalk's Mallard tragically crashed on take-off today around 2:30pm EST just east of the Miami Harbor Watson Island base. Early reports are there was an explosion onboard, followed by the wing snapping off and a death roll into the ocean at Government Cut between the South Pointe pier piling and Fisher Island. Conditions were IFR with fog and low clouds. There are no survivors reported of the 20 souls onboard. The plane was probably no more than 200-300 feet above the water when the explosion occurred. Amateur video shows the plane crashing with a trailing fireball which seems to be a separated engine and/or wing. Airchive's prayers are with the families and crew. As of mid 2006, the airline had yet to resume services as the Mallard's were grounded by the FAA.