Dash 8 crashes on approach to Buffalo, no survivors

A Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft operated by Colgan Air has crashed while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The aircraft reportedly crashed into a house, and a fire ensued. There are no survivors among the 49 on board. One person on the ground also is reported to have been killed.

The accident happened last night, February 12, 2009, at about 22:20 local time as the aircraft, operating as Continental Connection Flt. CJC 3407, was arriving at Buffalo from Newark Liberty International Airport. The aircraft (registration N200WQ) disappeared from radar during an instrument approach to Buffalo.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team of investigators to the scene early this morning.

Colgan Air has released the names of the crew members on board Flight 3407, all of whom perished:

• Marvin Renslow, Captain, joined Colgan on September 9, 2005
• Rebecca Shaw, First Officer, joined Colgan on January 16, 2008
• Matilda Quintero, Flight Attendent, joined Colgan on May 28, 2008
• Donna Prisco, Flight Attendent, joined Colgan on May 28, 2008

Capt. Joseph Zuffoletto, an off-duty crew member who joined Colgan on September 19, 2005, also was on board.

Condolences to the families, colleagues, and friends of all those who lost their lives.

[Photo Source]

UPDATE: The NTSB has retrieved the flight recorders from the accident scene, and transferred them to NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC.

UPDATE Feb. 16, 2009: Colgan Air has released the names of the passengers who were on board Flight 3407 (one page 'pdf' file).

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Colgan Air Flt 3407 on Aircrew Buzz, or choose from the list below.

• Video: NTSB Briefing on Colgan Air Flt 3407 Flight Data Recorder & Cockpit Voice Recorder - Feb. 13, 2009
• The Flight Attendants from Colgan Air Flight 3407 - Feb. 14, 2009
• Colgan Air addresses speculation about Flt. 3407 accident - Feb. 19, 2009
• Video tribute to the crew of Colgan Air Flight 3407 - Feb. 28, 2009
• Colgan Air Flt. 3407 crash near Buffalo: New info from NTSB - Mar. 25, 2009
• The Colgan Air accident: Don't draw conclusions from incomplete information - Mar. 26, 2009
• Public hearing on the crash of the Colgan Air Dash-8 near Buffalo slated for next week - May 8, 2009
• Cockpit Voice Recorder Transcript from Colgan Air Flight 3407 released by the NTSB - May 13, 2009
• NTSB animation of the Colgan Air accident near Buffalo - May 19, 2009
• Highlights of the NTSB's findings on the Colgan Air accident near Buffalo in February 2009 - Feb. 3, 2010