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| Plane crash in NY state kills 50 | Plane crash in NY state kills 50 |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Fifty people have died after a US passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state. | Fifty people have died after a US 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 45 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 45 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 a house engulfed in flames and the tail of the plane sticking out of the ground. | TV footage showed a house engulfed in flames and the tail of the plane sticking out of the ground. |
| Officials said surrounding homes suffered only superficial damage. 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 those on board, "there were no survivors". | State police spokeswoman Rebecca Gibbons said that of those on board, "there were no survivors". |
| The number of passengers is now thought to have numbered 45, after it was revealed that an off-duty pilot was also on board. | The number of passengers is now thought to have numbered 45, after it was revealed that an off-duty pilot was also on board. |
| Erie County Executive Chris Collins said there were three people in the house that was hit. | 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. | One died and the other two - believed to be a woman and child - managed to escape with apparently minor injuries, he said. |
| President Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle were "deeply saddened" by the news. | President Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle were "deeply saddened" by the news. |
| "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of loved ones," he said, thanking the "brave first responders" who tried to save lives and make the area safe. | "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of loved ones," he said, thanking the "brave first responders" who tried to save lives and make the area safe. |
| 'Dropped off radar' | 'Dropped off radar' |
| The twin-prop Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, operated by Colgan Air for Continental Airlines, 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 for Continental Airlines, 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 asked other planes in the area if they could 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'In pictures: Buffalo crash | 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'In pictures: Buffalo crash |
| One airport official said he had been told "the plane simply dropped off the radar screen". | One airport official said he had been told "the plane simply dropped off the radar screen". |
| Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing unusual sounds coming from the plane before it crashed. | Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing unusual sounds coming from the plane before it crashed. |
| "It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped," David Luce, who lives 150 yards (137m) from the crash site, told the Buffalo News. | "It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped," David Luce, who lives 150 yards (137m) from the crash site, told the Buffalo News. |
| "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 (15m) 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," he said. | "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". | 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. | "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. | "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. | "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 | Investigation |
| Relatives of the victims have been offered counselling and support as they wait for news. | Relatives of the victims have been offered counselling and support as they wait for news. |
| One of those believed to be on board the plane was Beverly Eckert, widow of Sean Rooney who was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York. | One of those believed to be on board the plane was Beverly Eckert, widow of Sean Rooney who was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York. |
| BOMBARDIER DASH 8 AIRCRAFT The Canadian-made Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 was delivered new last yearQ400 is newest member of the Dash 8 familyTwin-engine turboprop, mainly for short-haul flightsFirst flown in 1998, entered commercial service in 2000 | BOMBARDIER DASH 8 AIRCRAFT The Canadian-made Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 was delivered new last yearQ400 is newest member of the Dash 8 familyTwin-engine turboprop, mainly for short-haul flightsFirst flown in 1998, entered commercial service in 2000 |
| Her sister Sue Bourque told the Buffalo News that Ms Eckert had been travelling home to mark what would have been her husband's 58th birthday. | Her sister Sue Bourque told the Buffalo News that Ms Eckert had been travelling home to mark what would have been her husband's 58th birthday. |
| "We know she was on that plane," she told the newspaper, although she had not received official confirmation, "and now she's with him." | "We know she was on that plane," she told the newspaper, although she had not received official confirmation, "and now she's with him." |
| Chris Kausner, whose sister is believed to have been on the plane, was forced to break the news to his mother, holidaying in Florida. | |
| "I heard my mother make a noise on the phone that I never heard her make before," he told reporters. | |
| Officials say the fire has been brought under control and the area has been sealed off. | Officials say the fire has 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. | An investigation into the accident is expected to begin at midday local time on Friday, when the site has cooled down enough. |
| Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are going to the scene. | Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are going 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". | 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? |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
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