I am wondering about Flight 3407... It seems to me as if there was a combination of two factors in the tragedy: 1) Pilot error - de-icing equipment engaged early in the flight; ice still on the wings and tail near end of flight; yet, autopilot engaged during approach for landing. Scenario appears to have violated safety standards if not actual written guidelines. 2) Mechanical failure - de-icing features (liquid and ballooning) did not appear work effectively. Also, flaps may have been compromised by weather/icing (i.e., functioned on one side and not the other). Conclusion: A) Misuse of autopilot along with ice on the wings, tail and flaps lead to the pitch and roll or death spiral; B) In addition, there were likely maintenance issues with the ballooning mechanism (on the wings and tail) and the flaps. N.B. The down turn in the global economy may have changed the airline industry in previously unseen ways. Inadequate maintenance is now manifesting as airplane catastrophes or near catastrophes. The record of airplane disasters (or near disasters) that have recently made the news are the Hudson River landing, the hard landing at Heathrow Airport and now the Buffalo Crash. Prior to settling on the “bird strike” as the reason for the Hudson River landing, there were serious rumors of maintenance issues with the aircraft. Assuming the maintenance rumors were accurate - Could a properly maintained aircraft have made it to its original destination or at least nearby Tetoboro Airport and not been forced into the Hudson River?