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Plane crash in NY state kills 49 Plane crash in NY state kills 49
(about 2 hours later)
Forty-nine people have died after a passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state.Forty-nine people have died after a passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state.
The Continental Connection Flight 3407 was five minutes from Buffalo airport when it came down at 2210 (0310 GMT). The Continental Connection flight 3407 was five minutes from Buffalo airport when it came down at 2210 (0310 GMT).
Officials said there were no survivors from the 44 passengers and four crew on board the flight from Newark. One person on the ground also died.Officials said there were no survivors from the 44 passengers and four crew on board the flight from Newark. One person on the ground also died.
It is not clear what caused the crash. There was reported to be light snow and fog at the time.It is not clear what caused the crash. There was reported to be light snow and fog at the time.
TV footage showed the wreckage of the plane and a house engulfed in flames. TV footage showed a house engulfed in flames and the tail of the plane sticking out of the ground.
Twelve other homes were evacuated around the crash site in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo. Officials said surrounding homes suffered only superficial damage. Twelve other homes were evacuated around the crash site in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo.
State police spokeswoman Rebecca Gibbons said that of the 48 people on the plane, "there were no survivors." State police spokeswoman Rebecca Gibbons said that of the 48 people on the plane, "there were no survivors".
Dave Bissonette, the emergency control director in Clarence, said one person on the ground had been killed. Erie County Executive Chris Collins said there were three people in the house that was hit.
One died and the other two - believed to be a woman and child - managed to escape with apparently minor injuries, he said.
'Dropped off radar''Dropped off radar'
The twin-prop Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, operated by Colgan Air, was flying from Newark airport in New Jersey to Buffalo Niagara International Airport.The twin-prop Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, operated by Colgan Air, was flying from Newark airport in New Jersey to Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
US media say a recording of Buffalo's air traffic control before the crash showed no concerns by either the controller or the pilot.US media say a recording of Buffalo's air traffic control before the crash showed no concerns by either the controller or the pilot.
However, a minute later, the controller was unable to contact Flight 3407 and asks other planes in the area if they can spot it. However, a minute later, the controller was unable to contact flight 3407 and asked other planes in the area if they could spot it.
It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped. Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion Eyewitness David Luce 'The plane didn't sound normal' It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped. Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion Eyewitness David Luce 'The plane didn't sound normal' class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7887748.stm">In pictures: Buffalo crash
"I was told by the tower the plane simply dropped off the radar screen," Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority spokesman C Douglas Hartmayer was quoted by the Buffalo News as saying. One airport official said he had been told "the plane simply dropped off the radar screen".
Erie County Executive Chris Collins said there were three people in the house that was hit. One died and the other two managed to escape, with apparently minor injuries. Other reports say there was just one person in the house at the time. Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing unusual sounds coming from the plane before it crashed.
"The tail of the plane is sticking out of the ground," he told CNN. "It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped," David Luce, who lives 150 yards (137m) from the crash site, told the Buffalo News.
"Obviously, it exploded upon impact. So there was a lot of fire initially. It landed - or it came down right next to the fire hall. So there were firemen on this scene within literally seconds of it going down.
"I can't say enough about what the firefighters did, rushing right in as you might expect they would - a very heroic effort. But there were no survivors."
He said the fire was now under control and the site of the crash had been sealed off.
David Luce, who lives 150 yards from the crash site, said he heard the plane moments before the crash.
"It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped," he told the Buffalo newspaper.
"Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion. I thought something hit our house. It shook our whole house.""Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion. I thought something hit our house. It shook our whole house."
He described going to the scene of the crash and seeing flames up to 50ft high. He described going to the scene of the crash and seeing flames up to 50ft (15m) high.
"The house was already flattened. There was no house, just a pile of rubbish and still burning". "The house was already flattened. There was no house, just a pile of rubbish and still burning," he said.
Dave Bissonette, emergency control director in Clarence, described the crash as a "catastrophic event".
"It's remarkable that it only took one house," he added.
"As devastating as that was, it could have easily wiped out that entire neighbourhood.
"The fuselage of the plane lies directly on the footprint of the house. It basically dove right into the top of the house from my perspective, and again I am no expert on recreations, but it landed on the house," he said.
Investigation
Relatives of the victims have been gathering at a hastily arranged family assistance centre.
Chris Kausner said his sister Elise, a law student, was on the flight.Chris Kausner said his sister Elise, a law student, was on the flight.
"I'm thinking about the fact that my mother has to fly home from Florida and what I'm going to tell my two sons." "I'm thinking about the fact that my mother has to fly home from Florida and what I'm going to tell my two sons," he said.
Continental Airlines expressed profound sadness over the crash and said it was working closely with Colgan Air to "provide as much support as possible for all concerned". Officials say the fire had been brought under control and the area has been sealed off.
An investigation into the accident is expected to begin at midday local time on Friday, when the site has cooled down enough.
The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team of investigators to the scene.The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team of investigators to the scene.
Continental Airlines expressed profound sadness over the crash and said it was working closely with Colgan Air to "provide as much support as possible for all concerned".
Did you witness the plane crash? Are you in the area?Did you witness the plane crash? Are you in the area?
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