Coast Guard Responds to Plane Crash off Government Cut

The Coast Guard is currently responding along with local and state partners, to a downed Chalks Airline Grumman G73 airplane, which was reported carrying 20 people including two crewmen and three children. At this time 19 deceased have been recovered. No survivors have been located. The Coast Guard received a report of the downed aircraft at approximately 2:30 p.m. today from the Biscayne Pilots and numerous 911 dispatch calls. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched 27-foot and 41-foot rescue boat crews to the scene. An HH-65 rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Miami and the Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak are also on scene with numerous local and state law enforcement and rescue agencies. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has eight boats on scene assisting with rescue units and enforcing a security zone. Miami Dade rescue divers are on scene as well. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident. The FAA has implemented a three-mile and 3,000-foot no-fly zone. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has closed Government Cut to boating traffic until further notice.