My sympathies to the families of the passengers and crew. Hopefully no one on the ground will be included.
This is the last thing that US Airways needed right now.
For your information, the B-1900D is a 19 seat turboprop that is developed from the Beech King Air. The D model is the newer version that had a standup cabin. The aircraft is powered by two PW PT-6 turboprop engines. It has a crew of two, and carries no flight attendant.
Right now, the B-1900 flies for US Airways Express with Air Midwest/Mesa and Colgan Air. Other operators include Commutair and Gulfstream International flying for Continental Connection, and Mesa Airlines and Great Lakes both flying independantly.
I flew the 1900 for a few years, and I have good memories of the B-1900. It is a safe and reliable airframe that served me well.
CNN is now reporting that no one on the ground was involved, thank God.