Colgan Air Flight 3407 was a scheduled flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, New York. It encountered difficulties as it approached Buffalo Niagara International Airport, specifically during its descent. The aircraft, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, experienced a critical loss of control due to icing on the wings and improper pilot response to the situation. It ultimately crashed into a house in Clarence Center, resulting in the fatalities of all 49 occupants aboard, including 77-year-old C. Richard Wilson, a resident of the house destroyed by the crash.

The crew during this flight consisted of two pilots and a flight attendant. Investigations revealed that the captain, Marvin Renslow, had only recently completed training for the Dash 8 and had a history of performance issues. The first officer, Rebecca Shaw, also had relatively limited experience. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a thorough investigation leading to recommendations for heightened training and stricter regulations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future. The crash drew attention to the training protocols for regional airlines and the importance of addressing pilot fatigue.

The incident, taking place late on a winter night, further raised concerns about aviation safety, particularly regarding regional carriers. The widespread media coverage highlighted the families of victims and their calls for improved safety measures in the aviation industry. Families established a foundation to promote safety reforms and honor the memory of those lost in the tragedy.