IAFF Fire Fighters Respond to Buffalo Plane Crash

February 17, 2009 – Members of Buffalo-Niagara Airport Local S-25 and Buffalo, NY Local 282 remain on the scene of a plane crash in the Clarence Center area of Buffalo, New York. Fire fighters are working with various other emergency agencies to secure the plane and the home it crashed into.

“Our members have been working tirelessly on the scene of this fiery crash since the plane went down on February 12,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “I am proud of their efforts there to ensure public safety.”

On that night, Continental Flight 3407 from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo seemed normal until it began its decent. Flight crew was heard discussing “significant” icing on the wings, although the de-icing device had been turned on after the first 11 minutes of the flight.

When the plane reached about 1,800 feet, flight reports show that the plane stalled and lost contact with the tower. “As soon as contact was lost, the tower called to tell us that something was wrong and to be ready to respond,” says Victor Lettieri, president of Buffalo-Niagara Airport Local S-25.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would later determine the plane fell to the ground in less than 26 seconds and crashed into a Clarence Center home. Everyone aboard the plane -- including 44 passengers, a crew of four and an off-duty airline employee -- and one person in the house destroyed by the plane was killed. Two others in the house suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“Almost immediately, we were called in via mutual aid,” recalls Bill Major, a Local S-25 fire fighter. “Once on the scene, we used foam to put out the plane fire.”

Once the fire was out, Local S-25 fire fighters remained on the scene and Buffalo, NY Local 282 fire fighters were called in to assist. “Our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team members went to help Local S-25 fire fighters and others stabilize the plane and the surrounding area,” says Daniel Cunningham, president of Local 282. “After being out there, I think I can safely say we have not seen anything of this magnitude since a propane explosion killed five of our members 25 years ago.”

The cause of the crash remains uncertain. However, it is believed that icing could have caused the stall. Additionally, the fact that the plane was in autopilot for part of the decent could also be a factor.