This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7887555.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Plane crash in NY state kills 49 Plane crash in NY state kills 49
(40 minutes later)
Forty-nine people have died after a passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state, local officials have said. Forty-nine people have died after a passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state.
State police said all 44 passengers and four crew on the Newark to Buffalo flight were killed. A county official said one person on the ground died.
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.
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 the wreckage of the plane and a house engulfed in flames.
Twelve other homes were evacuated around the crash site in the town of Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo. 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 Bissonet, the emergency control director in Clarence, said one person on the ground had been killed.Dave Bissonet, the emergency control director in Clarence, said one person on the ground had been killed.
'Thinking the worst' '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.
There was reported to be light snow and fog at the time. US media say a recording of Buffalo's air traffic control before the crash showed no concerns by either the controller or the pilot.
It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped. Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion. Eyewitness David Luce However, a minute later, the controller was unable to contact Flight 3407 and asks other planes in the area if they can spot it.
Aviation officials at Niagara airport said there was little communication with the plane before the crash. It sounded quite loud, and then the sound stopped. Then one or two seconds later, there was a thunderous explosion Eyewitness David Luce class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7887599.stm">'The plane didn't sound normal'
"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."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.
Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team of investigators to the scene. 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.
Mr Collins told CNN 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.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 said. "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.
"The house was already flattened. There was no house, just a pile of rubbish and still burning".
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."
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".
The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team of investigators to the scene.


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.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name
Name