Suits Progress As NY Plane Crash Anniversary Nears

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Days before the second anniversary of the deadly crash of a plane into a New York home, lawyers for victims' families have been in court discussing the lawsuits pending against the flight's operators.

U.S. District Judge William Skretny said Wednesday that 43 lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Buffalo. He says about 10 have been settled.

Cases that don't settle are expected to go to trial in March 2012.

Safety investigators say pilot error led Continental Connection Flight 3407 to stall and crash Feb. 12, 2009, killing all 49 people on board and the home's owner.

The lawsuits name Continental Airlines and Colgan Air, the regional carrier contracted to operate the Newark, N.J.-to-Buffalo flight. Colgan parent Pinnacle Airlines and plane maker Bombardier Inc. also are named.

The companies deny responsibility.