50 Die in Clarence Center, NY Plane Crash
Late Thursday night about 6 miles from Buffalo, NY pilots of a commuter plane mentioned "significant ice buildup" on the plane's wings and windshield just before it smashed into the ground killing all 49 people on board and one man on the ground.
Continental Flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, was en route from Newark, NJ to Buffalo Niagara International Airport when the crew began to discuss ice buildup on the "windshield and leading edge of the wings." At this point the co-pilot and first officer sounded calm as she talked to air traffic control. The crew, reportedly, turned on the plane's pneumatic icing boots, which expand, breaking any ice collected at the wings' edges; this de-icing system is said to be very sophisticated. Soon after, they dropped off the radar and air traffic controllers began asking planes flying nearby if they could see any sign of the aircraft; there was no response.
At 10:20 p.m. ET the plane crashed into a home and burst into flames killing everyone on board as well as Doug Wielinski; his wife and daughter, although trapped beneath the rubble, made it out of the house with minor injuries. Because the plane hit only the Wielinski's house, there are speculations that the plane was at an extreme angle. One witness described the plane's nose as "lower than usual."
According to reports by Steve Chealander of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), "the flight's cockpit voice and data recorders indicated that the plane underwent 'severe' pitching and rolling motions after the landing gear was lowered and wing flaps were set for approach." He also explained that the crew attempted to reset the flaps shortly before the recordings ended. More shockingly, it has been reported that the plane was in autopilot when it went down, this is against airline regulations. In icy conditions it is recommended that pilots fly planes manually, in severe ice, however, pilots are required to do so.
Although other flights in the air at the time reported icing, they all landed safely. Chealander added that there was snow and mist as they descended and that "a significant ice buildup is an aerodynamic impediment."
Victims of the accident include: Marvin Renslow, Douglas Wielinski, Gerry Niewood, Coleman Mellett, Rebecca Shaw, Alison Des Forges, Susan Wehle, Beverly Eckert, Lorin Maurer, Madeline Loftus and Mary Pettys.
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