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To: texas booster

Here is another story of a famous seaplane crash.

Charles Blair (former US Air Force Brig General) married actress Maureen O’Hara in 1968.

He founded Antilles Air Boats which provided transport between St Thomas and St Croix in the US Virgin Islands as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. At its peak, Antilles Air Boats operated 27 aircraft.

He died on Sept 2, 1978 on a flight from St Croix to St Thomas in a Grumman G21 Goose. The NTSB concluded that improper pre-flight planning and the company’s inadequate maintenance program contributed to the accident.

Maureen O’Hara took over management of Antilles Air Boats becoming the first woman to be president of United States-based airline. Antilles Air Boats was sold to Air Resorts in 1981.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_F._Blair_Jr.


10 posted on 09/03/2023 6:55:13 AM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

Here is a little more of the story of Charles Blair and one of his flying boats, the VS-44. Scroll down to just past the Eastern DC-3. That flying boat is the only remaining complete pre-war aircraft. It is very impressive to see.
https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/blog/2023/6/21/the-new-england-air-museum


12 posted on 09/03/2023 11:04:49 AM PDT by mgpilot
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To: DFG

Wow, he didn’t deploy the flaps hoping for ground effect but the waves were too rough.

And he probably had no idea the propeller had been accidentally compromised.


16 posted on 09/04/2023 12:39:11 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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