13 Feb 2009: BOMBARDIER INC DHC-8-402 — Continental Connection

13 Feb 2009: BOMBARDIER INC DHC-8-402 (N200WQ) — Continental Connection

49 fatalities • Clarence Center, NY, United States

Probable cause

The captain’s inappropriate response to the activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover. Contributing to the accident were (1) the flight crew's failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the rising position of the low-speed cue, (2) the flight crew failure to adhere to sterile cockpit procedures, (3) the captain’s failure to effectively manage the flight, and (4) Colgan Air’s inadequate procedures for airspeed selection and management during approaches in icing conditions.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The Safety Board’s full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/A_Acc1.htm. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-10/01.

On February 12, 2009, about 2217 eastern standard time, a Colgan Air, Inc., Bombardier DHC-8-400, N200WQ, operating as Continental Connection flight 3407, was on an instrument approach to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, Buffalo, New York, when it crashed into a residence in Clarence Center, New York, about 5 nautical miles northeast of the airport. The 2 pilots, 2 flight attendants, and 45 passengers aboard the airplane were killed, one person on the ground was killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
Flight crew
Flight crew
Pilot
Operator
Conducive to structural icing
Not installed/available
Alertness/Fatigue
Operator
Operator
FAA/Regulator
Operator
Availability of related info

Conditions

Weather: VMC, wind 250/15kt, vis 3sm

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