By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Authorites say 50 people are dead after a commuter plane crashed into a home in Clarence and erupted in flames late Thursday.
State police say all 49 people aboard the Continental Connection Flight 3407 are dead. Clarence emergency control director Dave Bissonette says the crash also killed one person on the ground.
The turboprop plane from Newark, N.J., hit a house in Clarence around 10:20 p.m. Thursday. Bissonette says the plane was approaching Buffalo Niagara International Airport, about 5 miles away.
Twelve homes near the crash site have been evacuated.
Continental Airlines says the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 operated by Manassas, Va.-based Colgan Air was operating between Newark Liberty International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport.