Colgan Air today released an official statement commenting on the NTSB’s findings regarding the crash of Colgan Flight 3407 near Buffalo, NY on February 12th, 2009. In its statement, Colgan stands behind all of their crewmembers as well as their training programs, calling Captain Renslow and First Officer Shaw “fine people.” Colgan also expresses pride in all its employees but uncertainty as to why the two pilots did not react as they had been trained to fly the airplane, a Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 (N200WQ), out of the stall.
The NTSB released its report into the accident this past Tuesday. Investigators confirmed no mechanical issues with the airplane, citing the pilot’s inadequate training, unnecessary conversation during the flight and fatigue as contributing factors in the crash. According to the NTSB neither pilot reacted properly when the airplane’s stick shaker activated, announcing the airplane was about to enter a stall.
Colgan reiterated their condolences for all those affected by the crash. Forty-four passengers, five crewmembers and one person on the ground lost their lives.