Plane in Area Before Crash

COLONIE, NY — Mark Abbott, a self-described "aviation geek" from Denver, said the aircraft parked at Gate C1 at Albany International Airport last week quickly drew his attention.

That's because the right engine of the Continental Connection turboprop was undergoing what he called a "run-up test," operating at full speed while one of the two cockpit crew members stood outside the plane to observe it.

Meanwhile, passengers were waiting in the terminal to board the aircraft, which they eventually did. The turboprop then departed, hours behind schedule that Thursday, for what would be its final complete flight, to Newark International Airport.

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