A US commuter jet that crashed into a suburban home killing 50 people had the potential to "wipe out" an entire neighbourhood, emergency workers said.
The plane - an internal flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, New York State - came down at around 10.20pm on Thursday night (local time) in Clarence, a residential area five miles away from its airport destination.
All 49 of the passengers and crew members on board died as a result of the impact as did one of the occupants of the house that the plane crashed into.
But despite taking a direct hit, two people living in the property - a mother and daughter - escaped with minor injuries. Police said it was "amazing" that only one house was affected.
It was the US's first fatal incident involving a commercial airliner for two-and-a-half years. Among the dead was a widow of the man who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
The craft's black box recorders were recovered and it is hoped that they might shed light on why the plane came down. Early indications suggest that a build up of ice could have played a part.
Following the accident, at least two pilots were heard on air traffic control talking of having ice on their wings. "We've been getting ice since 20 miles south of the airport," one said.
The problem can alter a plane's aerodynamics and interfere with lift and handling - it is a well known hazard for pilots.
Despite the death toll, emergency services said the accident could have been worse if the plane's descent had not been so steep.
Dave Bissonette, an emergency control director in Clarence, said that it appeared that the plane "dove" directly into the top of the house. He added: "It is remarkable that it only took one house. As devastating as it was, it could have easily wiped out an entire neighbourhood on a strafing run type of thing."
