Screams, 'We're down,' recorded in cockpit of crashing plane
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[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/05/12/buffalo.crash.hearing/art.buffalo.crash.afp.gi.jpg caption="An investigator walks past the wreckage from a plane crash in Clarence Center, New York, in February."]
CNN
The pilot of a doomed plane that crashed, killing 50 people, said "Jesus Christ" and "We're down," seconds before the plane hurtled from the night sky into a house outside Buffalo, New York, in February.
The last sounds heard in the cockpit were First Officer Rebecca Shaw saying "We're" and then screaming at 10:16 p.m. on February 12, according to a transcript of the cockpit recording.
Seconds earlier, the pilot, Capt. Marvin Renslow, said, "Jesus Christ," as a sound "similar to stick shaker" was heard, the transcript said. Renslow said, "We're down," and a thump was heard before Shaw said, "We're" and screamed.
The National Transportation Safety Board released the transcript of the cockpit recording on Tuesday as it began a three-day hearing in Washington on the crash.
Continental Connection Flight 3407, operated by regional carrier Colgan Air, plunged into a house in Clarence Center, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one man in the house.
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Filed under: 360° Radar • Airline Safety • Clarence Plane Crash |
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Being a survivor of a plane crash that went down from gross pilot error. ( Lynyrd Skynyrd 1977) I know just how they felt. We lost power at 6000 feet and piled into 80 foot pine trees, for 495 feet until we broke apart. Their is not a worst feeling or just rage ,knowing you had pilots that were so unprepared. I knew that was pilot error from the first time i saw it on TV.
The article indicates that the pilot Renslow had failed five pilot tests, three before joining the airline – which implies that two failed tests were after he had joined Colgan Air.
Point 1: These "check rides" are given for each air certificate a pilot achieves. Single engine – a "check ride;" multi engine – a "check ride;" instrument rating – another "check ride;" etc.
Point 2: "check rides" include a ground review including specific aircraft systesm, and other knowledge; as well as a flight test which involves knowledge of a number of issues including how to handle: stalls; recovery from unusual flight attitude; and, simulated emergencies.
It would be helpful if the article was more specific as to what the failed tests were.
It sounds like a horrifying last few seconds. I feel for the family members who will hear their loved ones' voices for the last time on this tape – I had hoped that the people on the plane didn't have time to realize what happened and perhaps the passengers didn't but the crew certainly knew. Terrible awful end....