On the first anniversary of what may be one of the most senseless accidents in air history, 34 lawsuits have been filed stemming from the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407, which killed 50 people. http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100212/UPDATES01/302120012
Survivors of some of the victims killed in the Feb. 12, 2009 crash, which killed 49 on board the plane and a man in the house it crashed into near Buffalo, N.Y., planned to take four-hour walk today to commemorate the tragedy. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/families_to_walk_in_honor_of_v.html
Jeffrey Skiles, the co-pilot of the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight, was take part in the walk, which will go from the crash site in Clarence, N.Y., to Buffalo Niagra International Airport. The flight originated in Newark International Airport.
The goal is to “complete the flight” on behalf of the loved ones killed in the accident.
Since the crash, spouses and children of the crash victims have filed suit against Continental Airlines and Colgan Air, the regional airline that was operating the flight on behalf of Continental. The other defendants include Colgan parent Pinnacle Airlines, plane manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace and FlightSafety International, which helped train the pilots.
The victims’ families are seeking compensation for negligence, wrongful death and punitive damages.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Feb. 2 that the pilot’s faulty response, over-correcting, to a low-speed warning resulting in the plane crashing into a home and creating a fireball five miles from the Buffalo airport.
The pilot of Flight 3407 was distracted, seemingly more interested in flirting and chatting with his young female first officer. He was also making fast-food wages, $16,000; had failed three flight exams and had no sleep the night before the fatal flight.
The NTSB made 25 safety recommendations after its probe into the crash to the Federal Aviation Administration, which will evaluate them.
The Associated Press did a critical story Friday questioning whether enough has been to done to prevent future accidents involving regional carriers, which is says now make up half of domestic departures. http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-faa-airline-safety,0,7865987.story
FAA chief Randy Babbitt has said he is “very pleased with the progress” and safety measures his agency has taken since the crash, but many are critical and don’t think enough has been done. Those include members of Congress and the NTSB, according to the AP story.
For example, some legislators and survivors of the crash victims want flight experience for co-pilots increased to 1,500 from 250 hours. Airlines and flight schools have balked at that suggestion.
The FAA has requested public input on whether commercial pilot certification should be changed. http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/02/11/Federal_Regulations.htm