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NY crash site 'too hot to enter' NY crash site 'too hot to enter'
(30 minutes later)
Intense heat is keeping investigators from the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed in New York state, killing 50 people in the early hours of Friday. Intense heat is keeping investigators from the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed in New York state, killing 50 people late on Thursday.
The National Safety Transportation Board's Steve Chealander said there had been a big fire and possible gas leak. The National Safety Transportation Board's Steve Chealander said there had been a big fire, fed by a gas leak.
He said the search for black boxes and remains would begin as soon as possible, but that at this point there were few clues about the crash's cause. But he said investigators had been permitted to try to retrieve cockpit and flight data recorders that might yield clues about the crash cause.
Continental Connection flight 3407 crashed into a house at 0310 GMT.Continental Connection flight 3407 crashed into a house at 0310 GMT.
The death toll is thought to include 45 passengers and four crew on board, and one person on the ground.The death toll is thought to include 45 passengers and four crew on board, and one person on the ground.
Direct hitDirect hit
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.
Mr Chealander said little damage was sustained to houses around the one hit.Mr Chealander said little damage was sustained to houses around the one hit.
There was reported to be light snow and fog at the time of the crash.
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.
Hours later, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan in New York says the flames are still raging and it looks like it will be several hours before the full investigation can begin.
But the search is already under way for the flight recorders - which, if located, will be sent immediately to Washington for analysis, Mr Chealander 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.
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. It was snowing at the time, and other pilots had reported ice forming on the wings of their planes.
The pilot did not tell air traffic controllers of any problems during the flight, and a recording of communications appears normal until shortly before the crash.
'Dropped off radar''Dropped off radar'
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 crashIt 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 (150m) 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.
InvestigationInvestigation
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 2000BOMBARDIER 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.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."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. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are at the scene, waiting for the incident commander to give the green light for the full site recovery operation to begin.
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.
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