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Plane's Wreckage Removed to Beat Buffalo Snowstorm

NTSB investigators probing de-icing system, flying conditions
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 17, 2009 2:16 AM CST

Crews are working to shift the wreckage of Continental Connection Flight 3407 from the crash site before a snowstorm hits, the Buffalo News reports. Half the wreckage has already been removed and five of the plane's six de-icing valves have been recovered. Investigators hope to determine whether the de-icing system, which had been activated, was working properly.

The exact same model of plane flew the same Newark-Buffalo route just 27 minutes after Flight 3407 and managed to land safely in the same conditions of moderate icing, according to investigators. The only report of severe icing the night of the crash came from south of Buffalo, officials say. The NTSB plans to quiz every pilot who flew in the area that night to learn more.
(More NTSB stories.)

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