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Buffalo Crash Likely Caused by Ice: NTSB

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2009 4:41 PM CST

(Newser) – The Continental turboprop plane that crashed last night near Buffalo, killing 50, was likely brought down by icing, MSNBC reports. The NTSB, which has recovered the cockpit voice recorder, said the crew talked about “significant ice buildup, ice on the windshield and wings” before crashing into a suburban neighborhood. Other planes in the area also reported ice buildup around the time of the crash.

The Q400 Bombardier aircraft, which the operator said was new and had no service issues, is similar to a turboprop that went down 15 years ago, also due to icing. At that time, the NTSB recommended planes of that type use their pneumatic deicing apparatus more aggressively, a suggestion the FAA has not adopted. Larger planes have more dependable, radiant-heat deicing systems.

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Wreckage lays across the area as Continental Connection Flight 3407 burns after it crashed into a house in Clarence, NY, yesterday. (AP Photo)

The wreckage of Continental flight 3407 lies amid smoke at the scene after crashing into a suburban Buffalo home. (AP Photo)

New York Gov, David Paterson speaks at a news conference about the Continental Airlines plane that crashed in Clarence Center, NY. (AP Photo)

Dr. Alison Des Forges. Des Forges, among the first to highlight the ethnic tensions that led to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, died in the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. (AP Photo)

Map locates Buffalo Niagara International Airport, near where a commuter plane crashed into a home. (AP Photo)

The flag outside the Clarence Town Hall flies at half staff today, after Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed Thursday night into a house in the suburban Buffalo community. (AP Photo)

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Planes do go over our house, but this one just sounded really different, louder, and I thought to myself, 'If that's a plane, it's going to hit something.' The next thing I knew the ceiling was on me. - Karen Wielinski, ground survivor

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