Continental Plane Crash in New York Kills 49

A passenger plane crashed into a home located a few miles from the Buffalo airport in New York.

Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 magazine.continental.com

(MANASSAS, Va.) - Continental Connection flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, Inc., crashed at about 10:20 p.m. EST Thursday as the aircraft, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, was enroute between Newark Liberty International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

The plane went down in the vicinity of Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Continental officials say.

Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft carried 44 passengers and a crew of four, although this is subject to confirmation.

At this time, the full resources of Colgan Air's accident response team are being mobilized and will be devoted to cooperating with all authorities responding to the accident and to contacting family members and providing assistance to them.

Airline personnel and local authorities have already begun working to confirm the number of people on board and their identities.

Relatives and friends of those traveling on flight 3407 who want to give or receive information about those on board may telephone the family assistance number at 1-800-621-3263.

Colgan Air says they will continue to release additional information as it is confirmed.

Support for Families of Flight 3407 Passengers and Crew

Continental Airlines this morning expressed its profound sadness concerning the accident involving flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, that occurred Thursday night near Buffalo.

"Continental extends its deepest sympathy to the family members and loved ones of those involved in this accident," said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. "We are providing our full assistance to Colgan Air so that together we can provide as much support as possible for all concerned."

Continental representatives are traveling to Buffalo to provide assistance to Colgan in its response to the accident. A family assistance center is being established in the area.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family members and loved ones of those involved in the flight 3407 tragedy," Kellner added.

SOURCE Continental Airlines