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| Heat slows NY crash investigation | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Intense heat is preventing a full-scale investigation at the site of a house where an aircraft crashed in New York state on Thursday, killing 50 people. | Intense heat is preventing a full-scale investigation at the site of a house where an aircraft crashed in New York state on Thursday, killing 50 people. |
| The National Transportation Safety Board's Steve Chealander said there had been a big fire, fed by a gas leak. | The National Transportation Safety Board's Steve Chealander said there had been a big fire, fed by a gas leak. |
| But investigators were permitted to foray into the site, where they retrieved flight recorders it is hoped will yield clues about the crash cause. | But investigators were permitted to foray into the site, where they retrieved flight recorders it is hoped will yield clues about the crash cause. |
| Continental Connection flight 3407 crashed at 2210 local time (0310 GMT). | Continental Connection flight 3407 crashed at 2210 local time (0310 GMT). |
| The death toll is thought to comprise 44 passengers, four crew and one off-duty crew member on board, and one person on the ground. | |
| Direct hit | Direct 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. |
| 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. | 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 investigators have located the plane's two "black boxes" - cockpit and flight data recorders - which will be sent immediately to Washington for analysis. | But investigators have located the plane's two "black boxes" - cockpit and flight data recorders - which will be sent immediately to Washington for analysis. |
| 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. |
| Among those killed was 9/11 widow and campaigner Beverly EckertThe 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. | Among those killed was 9/11 widow and campaigner Beverly EckertThe 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. |
| It was snowing at the time, and other pilots had reported ice forming on the wings of their planes. | 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. | 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 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 (150m) 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." |
| Neighbours describe the scene of the crash | Neighbours describe the scene of the crash |
| 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, said it was "remarkable" that only one house was hit, with neighbouring houses relatively unscathed. | Dave Bissonette, emergency control director in Clarence, said it was "remarkable" that only one house was hit, with neighbouring houses relatively unscathed. |
| "As devastating as that was, it could have easily wiped out that entire neighbourhood," he said. | "As devastating as that was, it could have easily wiped out that entire neighbourhood," he said. |
| 9/11 widow | 9/11 widow |
| 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 on board the plane was Beverly Eckert, widow of Sean Rooney who was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York and who had become a leading campaigner on behalf of the "9/11 families". | One of those on board the plane was Beverly Eckert, widow of Sean Rooney who was killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York and who had become a leading campaigner on behalf of the "9/11 families". |
| 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 |
| Ms Eckert had been travelling home to mark what would have been her husband's 58th birthday. | Ms Eckert had been travelling home to mark what would have been her husband's 58th birthday. |
| "We know she was on that plane," her sister, Sue Bourque, told the Buffalo News, "and now she's with him." | "We know she was on that plane," her sister, Sue Bourque, told the Buffalo News, "and now she's with him." |
| President Obama paid tribute to Ms Eckert, calling her "an inspiration to me and so many others". | President Obama paid tribute to Ms Eckert, calling her "an inspiration to me and so many others". |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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