Evidence Points to Pilot Error in Buffalo Crash

Their training, experience is under scrutiny

(NEWSER) - Pilot error, not icing, appears to have caused the Continental Airlines crash in Buffalo that killed 50 people Feb. 12, an investigation report released today states. When a warning device alerted pilots they were flying too slowly, they pulled the plane’s nose up—rather than down, as pilots are trained to do—and disrupted airflow above the wings, reports USA Today. More»

Flight 3407 transcript released ahead of public hearing

(AP) - Just seconds before the worst US air crash in more than 7 years, the pilot exclaimed "Jesus Christ" and moments later his first officer screamed as Flight 3407 plunged to the ground. A cockpit voice-recorder transcript released today shows that only minutes before the Feb. 12 crash outside Buffalo, Captain Marvin Renslow and First Officer Rebecca Shaw chatted about her career and shared their fear of flying in icy weather. More»

Captain did opposite of proper procedure when plane stalled

(NEWSER) - The captain of the commuter plane that crashed in Buffalo in February, killing 50 people, wasn't properly trained on the plane's stall-protection system and had failed several flight tests, the Wall Street Journal reports. When the plane warned of an imminent stall, the pilot did the opposite of proper procedure, according to investigators. More»

NTSB investigators probing de-icing system, flying conditions

(NEWSER) - Crews are working to shift the wreckage of Continental Connection Flight 3407 from the crash site before a snowstorm hits, the Buffalo News reports. Half the wreckage has already been removed and five of the plane's six de-icing valves have been recovered. Investigators hope to determine whether the de-icing system, which had been activated, was working properly. More»

(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. More»