Anniversary of Flight 3407 crash in New York observed with walk, call for aviation safety

NY plane crash anniversary observed with walk

CLARENCE, N.Y. — Relatives and friends of the passengers killed when Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed outside Buffalo have begun a 10-mile memorial walk to mark the tragedy’s one-year anniversary.

About 200 people gathered at a fire hall in Clarence and walked the short distance to the street where the Newark-to-Buffalo flight plunged into a house, killing all 49 on board and a man inside the home.

After saying a prayer and laying a wreath at the now-vacant lot, the group set out for the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to complete the journey the ill-fated plane never finished.

“Miracle on the Hudson” co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles is among those leading the walk.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CLARENCE, N.Y.(AP) — The Newark-to-Buffalo trip of Continental Connection Flight 3407 ended tragically early in a fiery crash into a home last Feb. 12. Now, relatives and friends of the passengers killed plan to complete the journey.

Joined by “Miracle on the Hudson” co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles, about 500 people are expected to walk from the crash site in suburban Clarence to Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Friday’s first anniversary of the accident.

What would’ve been five miles by air is about double on foot.

Organizers say the walk is meant to honor the lives lost, but also to push proposed safety legislation that addresses pilot training, fatigue and other issues cited by investigators.

The crash killed all 49 people aboard the plane and the home’s owner.