Colgan Air Flight 3407

Colgan Air Flight 3407
NTSB · Public domain · source
Name	Colgan Air Flight 3407
Airline	Colgan Air
Aircraft type	Bombardier Q400
Origin	Newark Liberty International Airport
Destination	Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Passengers	45
Fatalities	49
Date	February 12, 2009

Colgan Air Flight 3407 was a scheduled passenger flight operated by Colgan Air on behalf of Continental Airlines and Continental Connection. The flight departed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and was headed to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York. On board were 45 passengers and 4 crew members, including pilots Marvin Renslow and Rebecca Lynne Shaw, as well as flight attendants Matthias Kausner and Jasmine Tosca. The flight was also carrying Federal Aviation Administration inspector Sharon Ann Rivoli and National Transportation Safety Board investigator Beverly Eckert, who was also a 9/11 victim's family member and advocate for aviation safety.

● Introduction

The Bombardier Q400 aircraft, registered as N200WQ, was a turboprop airliner manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace and was operated by Colgan Air under a wet lease agreement with Continental Airlines. The flight was part of the Continental Connection network, which provided regional airline services to smaller airports and commuter routes. Colgan Air was a regional airline based in Manassas, Virginia, and operated flights on behalf of several major airlines, including United Airlines, US Airways, and Continental Airlines. The airline industry has seen significant changes in recent years, with mergers and acquisitions involving American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines.

● Accident

On February 12, 2009, the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Clarence Center, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground. The crash site was located near the intersection of Long Street and Bowen Road, and emergency response teams from Erie County, New York and Buffalo, New York were quickly dispatched to the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the crash, which was led by Chairman Mark Rosenfeld and involved experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Bombardier Aerospace. The crash was also investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

● Investigation

The NTSB investigation revealed that the pilots had not followed standard operating procedures during the approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The crew had not properly configured the aircraft for landing, and had not followed checklist procedures. The investigation also found that the pilots had not received adequate training on the Bombardier Q400 aircraft, and that the airline's safety culture was inadequate. The NTSB worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to identify safety issues and develop recommendations for improvement. The investigation also involved experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

● Cause

The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash was the pilot's failure to follow standard operating procedures during the approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The pilot's failure to properly configure the aircraft for landing and his failure to follow checklist procedures contributed to the crash. The NTSB also identified contributing factors, including the airline's inadequate safety culture and the pilot's lack of training on the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The crash was also attributed to the pilot's failure to recognize and respond to the stall warning system, which was designed to alert the pilot to an impending stall. The stall was caused by the pilot's excessive pitch and bank angles, which were not corrected in time to prevent the crash.

● Aftermath

The crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 led to significant changes in the aviation industry, including the implementation of new safety regulations and guidelines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued new rules requiring airlines to provide pilots with more training on stall recovery and upset prevention. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also issued recommendations for improvement in airline safety culture and pilot training programs. The crash also led to the passage of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The law required airlines to implement new safety measures, including the use of cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders.

● Legacy

The crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 has had a lasting impact on the aviation industry and aviation safety. The crash led to significant changes in pilot training programs and safety regulations, and has improved the overall safety of air travel. The crash has also been the subject of several documentary films and books, including Mayday (TV series) and The Crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407. The crash has also been recognized by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) as a significant event in the history of aviation safety. The crash has also been commemorated by the Erie County, New York government and the City of Buffalo, New York, which have established memorials to the victims of the crash. Category:Aviation accidents and incidents