Continental Airlines Plane Crash Kills 50 People

A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board says that more than a dozen federal investigators have been assigned to the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. The deadly aviation accident happened in New York on Thursday night, killing all 49 people onboard the plane and another person in the house that the aircraft crashed into in Clarence Center. Two other people who were in the house at the time of the deadly plane accident reportedly sustained minor injuries. Investigators are reportedly examining the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

Thursday’s airplane crash is the first commercial airline crash in the US in over two years where fatalities were involved. Just last month, the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 was able to crash land the plane into the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew members safely survived the aviation accident. In December, 38 people sustained injuries when a Continental Airlines plane slid off the runway at the Denver Airport. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

According to witnesses of yesterday’s plane accident, the turboprop aircraft could be heard sputtering before it crashed through snow and fog at around 10:20pm. The Continental plane smashed through the roof of a home and burst into flames when it exploded on impact. One witness reports seeing 50-100 foot flames emerging from the crash site.

A recording of the air traffic control’s radio messages reveal that the pilot never called for help and there appears to be no indication before the crash that the pilot or the controller thought that anything was awry. The controller did, however, take steps to notify authorities after he tried contacting the plane more than once and did not receive a reply.

Aviation Accidents

If someone you love was killed in an aviation accident, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against any negligent parties.The best way to determine if someone can be held liable for your injuries is to speak with an experienced Maryland plane crash lawyer about your case.

Examples of aviation accidents that could result in a plane crash lawsuit:
• Helicopter crash
• Medevac accident
• Faulty maintenance
• Defectively designed plane
• Pilot mistakes
• Crew errors
• Negligence by air traffic control or airport operator
• Weather problems
• Commercial airline crashes
• Accidents involving private planes
Fiery plane crash in upstate NY kills 50, AP, February 14, 2009
Pilot praised for ‘masterful’ landing, CNN.com, January 16, 2009
Crash victims include rights campaigner, beloved cantor, CNN.com, February 13, 2009
Related Web Resources:

National Transportation Safety Board

Continental Airlines


Contact our Maryland aviation accident lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today.

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