Friday, February 13, 2009

Colgan Air 3407

Icing is being mentioned as the culprit for this terrible crash. Matter of fact, it looks like tailplane icing, at least it fits the description (listen to the first minute of the video). God be with the victims' families in their time of grief.


MORE 2/16/09

Based on information coming from the NTSB several things appear to be established, to wit, the plane was on autopilot during icing conditions which the crew had mentioned on the CVR. At some point the AP automatically disengaged into a stick shaker event, meaning an impending stall. There was a severe nose/down pitch event, but it's not clear which came first or whether either were in response to pilot reaction to the stick shaker or the pusher. Pilots of this type of aircraft would have a much better idea what might have occurred and therefore we'll leave further speculation to them.

A couple of final words. It's premature to blame the pilots. For all anyone knows there could have been something wrong with the boot system or something else unrelated. As to the conspiracies being tossed out, good Lord.

Regardless of causation this was a particularly grizzly crash and my heart goes out to all those grieving right now.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised this happened to Colgan Air. Colgan Air is a money-pinching, fly-by-night, bottom-feeder airline living on the brink of closing that places inexperienced kids in the cockpit and trains them on the job. They've immensely benefitted from their founder's political connections, Virginia State Senator Chuck Colgan, which saved their a$$ more than once. Yesterday's wx conditions in that particular area of the country surely demanded a more experienced crew. That's the dirty little lie of most commuter operations across the USA. It's also important to note that Colgan just recently transitioned to this aircraft type. They've only flown Saab 340s and Beech 1900s before.

A.C. McCloud said...

I don't think the weather conditions were that remarkable, ATP. Lake effect snow is as common as sunshine in western NY state in winter, and anyone who flies into BUF should be somewhat familiar with it.

Anonymous said...

ATP...The captain is 47 years old and has been flying since he was a kid...inexperienced kid...I dont think so...
also...what about the crash that occured in November with Continental Mainline...was that caused by "kids" in the cock pit...and also...the wx conditions were in EWR...not Buf...our airline's pilots are very experienced in Lake effect weather due tot he fact many TRANSITIONED from the Saab and where based in the northern region..including Rebecca and Marvin...

A.C. McCloud said...

Anonymous.. what Continental crash in November are you referring to?

Anonymous said...

ATP...
Your comments are irresponsible and unfair. I'm not sure where you get your information. For an "Airline Transport Pilot" you clearly have no idea what you are talking about and even less experience. Please keep your snide, baseless comments to yourself until the professionals unearth the true cause of this tragic accident.

Anonymous said...

This crash was casused by several factors. The NTSB, will have to do the investigation. As far as experience is concerned. Everybody starts out someplace, FAA Still requires, many hrs of Flight Sim exp. before a rating is given. Let the officials determine what happened before trash talking the airlines. Oh, Den Dec 21st.