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Crash plane 'dropped in seconds' | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A plane that crashed onto a house in New York state killing 50 people dropped by 800 feet (245 metres) in five seconds, officials say. | |
Air safety official Steve Chealander said the plane fell from 1,800ft to 1,000ft shortly before impact. | |
He also said investigators had not found that there were "severe icing" conditions, which would have required pilots to fly the plane manually. | |
The plane's autopilot was on until just before the crash, Mr Chealander said. | |
Analysis of the plane's data recorders shows the crew noticed significant ice build-up on its wings before the crash. | Analysis of the plane's data recorders shows the crew noticed significant ice build-up on its wings before the crash. |
Mr Chealander, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), had earlier told the the Associated Press news agency that the NTSB recommended pilots disengage their craft's autopilot facility in icy conditions. | |
The plane's de-icing system had been switched on before the crash | |
Pilots using manual controls may be able to sense a problem sooner than the autopilot, he said. | |
But in a press briefing on Sunday he said there was no evidence that the Continental Airlines pilot had done anything wrong. | |
"The only restriction that they see - the manufacturer of this airplane - and that they write about is that disengage the autopilot in severe icing conditions," Mr Chealander said. | |
"Thus far we haven't determined that it's severe icing so, so far we see that everything seemed to be normal in using the autopilot." | |
Pitches and rolls | Pitches and rolls |
The Bombardier Dash 8 was approaching Buffalo's airport when it crashed flat on the house in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo, last Thursday. 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 'The plane didn't sound normal'9/11 widow among dead | The Bombardier Dash 8 was approaching Buffalo's airport when it crashed flat on the house in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo, last Thursday. 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 'The plane didn't sound normal'9/11 widow among dead |
The pilots did not tell air traffic controllers of any problems during the flight, and a recording of communications appears normal until shortly before the crash. | The pilots did not tell air traffic controllers of any problems during the flight, and a recording of communications appears normal until shortly before the crash. |
At that point, the crew are heard discussing snowy and misty conditions and asking for permission to descend. | At that point, the crew are heard discussing snowy and misty conditions and asking for permission to descend. |
The crew then discussed "significant ice build-up" on the windshield and leading edge of the aircraft's wings, Mr Chealander said on Friday. | The crew then discussed "significant ice build-up" on the windshield and leading edge of the aircraft's wings, Mr Chealander said on Friday. |
The plane's de-icing system had been switched on before the crew talked about the ice, he said. | The plane's de-icing system had been switched on before the crew talked about the ice, he said. |
Preliminary investigations suggested the plane was pointing away from the airport at which it was meant to land when it crashed. | Preliminary investigations suggested the plane was pointing away from the airport at which it was meant to land when it crashed. |
Analysis of the data recorders shows the plane made a series of severe pitches and rolls seconds before plunging into the house. | Analysis of the data recorders shows the plane made a series of severe pitches and rolls seconds before plunging into the house. |
The dead include 44 passengers, four crew and one off-duty pilot on board, and one person on the ground. | The dead include 44 passengers, four crew and one off-duty pilot on board, and one person on the ground. |
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. |