50 People Died In A Deadly Plane Crash In Buffalo

Coming up very soon is the 16th anniversary of a deadly plane crash in Buffalo that killed 50 people. I fly fairly frequently and even though I don't want to, each time I fly I think about the possibility that my plane crashes. Unfortunately, there was a deadly plane crash yesterday, January 29, 2025. American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a military plane in the air near Reagan National Airport In Washington. Fatalities have been confirmed.

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The potential for you to be in a plane crash is really low. According to Flying With Courage, the National Safety Council, says that the odds of dying in a plane crash is around 1 in 188,364. To put that into perspective, The National Safety Council says that your odds of dying in a car crash are 1 in 101, according to Love To Know. So yeah, our fears of flying are exaggerated. Now, I won't lie, when I get on a smaller plane, my panic does increase way more than when I'm flying on a huge jet.

READ MORE: 11 Deadliest and Most Devastating Plane Crashes in New York State

On February 12, 2009, a Colgan Air Flight 3407 (a Continental Connection) crashed into a suburb just outside of Buffalo, New York. Flight 3407 departed from Newark, New Jersey, heading to Buffalo when it crashed before it could complete its landing at the Buffalo International Airport. The Bombardier Q400 stalled and ended up going down at a house in Clarence Center. The death toll was immense - 49 crew members and passengers died in the crash, as well as one person in the house.

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The NTSB's report states that the captain caused the stall,

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was 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 lowspeed cue, (2) the flight crew’s 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.

Deadly Plane Crash In Buffalo, New York Kills 50

CLARENCE, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Workers and investigators clear debris from the scene of the plane crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 16, 2009 in Clarence, New York. The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, that crashed on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport on February 12, 2009, killed all 49 people on the plane and one on the ground. Today investigators removed the engines of the commuter plane that slammed into a house in suburban Buffalo. (Photo by David Duprey-Pool/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Female Hockey players honor Buffalo State University Alumni Madeline Loftus, who died along with 49 others in the plane crash of Continental flight 3407, with a candle light vigil February 14, 2009 in Buffalo, New York. The plane crashed in Clarence, New York outside of Buffalo the night of February 12, and exploded when it hit a home, killing all on board and one in the house. Loftus was traveling to Buffalo to participate in the Alumni hockey game. (Photo by John Normile/Getty Images)

CLARENCE, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Flowers are left in memorial near the site where workers and investigators clear debris from the scene of the plane crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 16, 2009 in Clarence, New York. The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, that crashed on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport on February 12, 2009, killed all 49 people on the plane and one on the ground. Today investigators removed the engines of the commuter plane that slammed into a house in suburban Buffalo. (Photo by David Duprey-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 13: The flight data recorders retrieved from the wreckage of Continental Connection Flight 3407 are displayed at NTSB headquarters February 13, 2007 in Washington, DC. Flight 3407 crashed outside Buffalo, New York yesterday evening killing all 49 people aboard the plane and one person on the ground. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - MAY 12: Family members of the victims of the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 react during a public hearing on the crash at the National Transportation Safety Board May 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Colgan Air, Continental Connection flight 3407, Bombardier Dash 8-Q400, crashed on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport on February 12, 2009. killing all 49 people on board and one more on the ground. (Photo by Robert Giroux/Getty Images)

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The Most Deadly and Dangerous Places in New York

We all know New York has no shortage of stunning natural landscapes and thrilling adventures, but some of those jaw-dropping spots come with a serious warning label. Whether you're a hiker, a road-tripper, or someone looking for a day of exploration, it’s important to stay aware of where things can get dangerous. From waterfalls with unseen ledges to treacherous hiking trails, here’s a roundup of the most dangerous places in New York.