Antilles Air Boats

Antilles Air Boats was a commuter airline founded by Charles F. Blair Jr. in 1963. It was based in the US Virgin Islands.[1][2][3]

Antilles Air Boats
Founded1963
Ceased operations1981
Hubs
HeadquartersSaint Thomas
US Virgin Islands, U.S.
Key peopleCharles F. Blair Jr. (Founder)

History

Antilles Air Boats was founded in 1963, and provided transport between St Thomas and St Croix in the US Virgin Islands as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. Antilles Air Boats built up its fleet until it operated 27 aircraft, all propeller driven float planes from World War II which were well suited to the short hops over water the airline specialized in. In 1974 the airline purchased two Sandringham flying boats from Ansett Flying Boat Services.[4] In 1967 the airline also acquired the last Sikorsky VS-44 "Excambian" that they operated until it was damaged in 1969.

On 2 September 1978 company president Charles F. Blair Jr was killed in a crash while piloting Antilles Air Boats Flight 941, the flight was carrying 10 passengers. His then-wife, actress Maureen O'Hara took over management of the company, becoming the first woman to become president of United States-based airline.[5]

On March 22 1977 American Airlines founded American Inter-Island Airlines and contracted Antilles Air Boats to pilot and operate their fleet of Convair 440s.[6][7] In 1981 the airline was sold to Air Resorts.[8]

Destinations

This is a list of Antilles Air Boats destinations throughout its existence:[9]

Fleet
An Antilles Air Boats Short Sandringham on Lough Derg at Killalo

The fleet of Antilles Air Boats consisted of:

Accidents and Incidents
  • Nov 5, 1978: A Grumman G-21A Goose was damaged beyond repair, when on a test flight on behalf of the FAA the aircraft encountered engine problems and the pilot decided to ditch the aircraft few miles offshore.[10]
  • Sep 2, 1978: A Grumman Goose on a flight from Christiansted to Charlotte Amalie, experienced engine failure, and the pilot (Charles F. Blair Jr.) attempted to ditch the aircraft but the during the ditching the aircraft crashed killing 4 including Charles F. Blair Jr.[10]
  • Jun 4, 1978: A Grumman Goose on a flight from Charlotte Amalie to Christiansted, experienced engine failure in the left engine. The pilot ditched the aircraft that thean struck rocks and came to rest on the shore. All 11 occupants escaped unharmed.[10]
  • Apr 5, 1978: A Grumman Goose crashed several minutes after takeoff from St John, when both engines shut down and the aircraft had to ditch in stormy conditions. All seven passengers were rescued whilst both pilots were killed on impact.[10]
  • Feb 21, 1976: A Grumman Goose crash on route to Christiansted from Charlotte Amalie, the right engine failed and the aircraft ditched. five passengers were killed and the rest were rescued.[10]
  • Jun 18, 1971: A Grumman Goose experienced double engine failure whilst on route to Fajardo. The aircraft ditched leaving nine people injured and killing two.[10]
  • Nov 14, 1970: A Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina experienced mechanical failure whilst on approach to the Christiansted seaplane base. The crew diverted to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport when, upon landing the gear collapsed bring the aircraft to rest. Neither pilot was injured.[10]

References
  1. "American Inter Island: A Forerunner to American Eagle" (PDF).
  2. "Wings Over the Water" (PDF).
  3. "Antilles Air Boats history from Americas, US Virgin Islands". Airline History. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  4. "Wings Over the Water" (PDF).
  5. 3/17/2022 Facebook post of Arlington National Cemetery. quote="Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara (Section 2, Grave 4966) is one of the remarkable civilians buried at Arlington National Cemetery — many of whom, like O’Hara, rest alongside military spouses. “The legendary Maureen O’Hara” (as her headstone describes her) played strong women in dozens of films from the 1930s through 1990s, most notably opposite John Wayne. The red-haired screen star also became the first woman president of a U.S.-based airline. After her third husband, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles F. Blair, died in a 1978 plane crash, she managed Antilles Air Boats, the airline he had founded."
  6. "American Inter Island: A Forerunner to American Eagle" (PDF).
  7. "Convair CV-440 / American Inter-Island". antilles-air-boats. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  8. "Antilles Air Boats history from Americas, US Virgin Islands". Airline History. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  9. "GRUMMAN'S (AND MAUREEN O'HARA'S) GOOSE". Simanaitis Says. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  10. "Antilles Air Boats | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
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