More on the Buffalo plane crash

Portraits of the Victims
A human rights official known for her expertise on the Rwanda genocide. A September 11 widow who channeled her grief into fighting for survivors and families. A beloved cantor. These are just a few of the 50 people who died Thursday night when a Continental Airlines flight operated by Colgan Air crashed into a home near Buffalo, New York. All 49 aboard the plane died, along with one person on the ground. Click here for profiles of some of the crash victims.

Why did this happen?
According to reports from CNN, the pilots of the commuter airliner discussed “significant ice buildup” on the plane’s wings and windshields before the plane plunged to the ground. Continental Connection Flight 3407 was en route from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo Niagara International Airport when it went down about 10:20 p.m. ET Thursday. Preliminary information recovered from the flight’s cockpit voice and data recorders indicated that the plane underwent “severe” pitching and rolling motions after the landing gear was lowered and wing flaps were set for the approach.