49 fatal · BOMBARDIER INC DHC-8-402 · 2009-02-13 · Clarence Center, NY, USA
Event
NTSB number
DCA09MA027
Event ID
20090213X13613
Type
Accident
Date
2009-02-13
Location
Clarence Center, NY, USA
Coordinates
43.011112, -78.634719
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
49
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
50
Aircraft
Make
BOMBARDIER INC
Model
DHC-8-402
Registration
N200WQ
FAR Part
121
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The captain’s inappropriate response to the activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover. Contributing to the accident were (1) the flight crew's failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the rising position of the low-speed cue, (2) the flight crew failure to adhere to sterile cockpit procedures, (3) the captain’s failure to effectively manage the flight, and (4) Colgan Air’s inadequate procedures for airspeed selection and management during approaches in icing conditions.