Ice build-up cited as cause of US air disaster
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Investigators have started trying to find what caused the crash of a Continental Connection flight in Buffalo, USA, late on Thursday. The pilots of the twin-prop Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, en route to Buffalo from Newark airport, are said to have reported “significant ice build-up” on the plane’s wings and windshields before the plane plunged to the ground, according to a CNN report.
Preliminary information recovered from the flight’s cockpit voice and data recorders indicate that the plane underwent “severe” pitching and rolling motions after the landing gear was lowered and wing flaps were set for the approach, CNN reported Steve Chealander of the US’ National Transportation Safety Board as saying.
“The crew discussed significant ice build-up, ice on the windshield and leading edge of the wings,” Chealander was quoted saying. “The crew attempted to raise the gear and (reset) flaps shortly before the recordings ended,” he added.
The plane crashed into a house approximately 6 miles (9.7km) from Buffalo airport, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground. CNN also reported that a gas leak at the crash site made the resulting fire more intense.
Crews of Delta Air Lines and US Airways flights also reported rime icing, a condition in which ice quickly builds up on the leading edge of the wings, at the time of the crash.
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