Private business jet crashed and burst into flames during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine, killing seven people and leaving one crew member seriously injured, according to U.S. aviation authorities.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 was attempting to depart the airport at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday when it went down amid worsening winter weather conditions. The aircraft, which was carrying eight people, reportedly came to rest upside down before catching fire, triggering an immediate emergency response.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that all seven fatalities were passengers, while the sole survivor was a member of the flight crew. The injured crew member was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. No other injuries were reported on the ground.
Air traffic control audio from the moments after the crash captured the urgency of the situation, with one voice reporting that the aircraft was “upside down.” Airport officials said first responders arrived at the scene within a minute, helping to contain the fire and prevent further damage.
The crash forced the immediate closure of Bangor International Airport, which will remain shut until at least Wednesday as investigators work at the site. Flights to and from the airport, which serves destinations including Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Charlotte, were suspended.
The incident occurred as a massive winter storm swept across large parts of the United States, disrupting travel nationwide. While snowfall in Bangor had only begun at the time of the crash, the National Weather Service later reported that nearly 10 inches of snow fell in the area over the course of the storm. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether weather conditions directly contributed to the accident.
Preliminary information from the National Transportation Safety Board indicates that the jet crashed shortly after departure and experienced a post-crash fire. Federal investigators are expected to release more details after completing an on-site examination.
The aircraft was registered to a Texas-based corporation linked to a Houston law firm, though officials have not released the identities of the victims. The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-bodied business jet typically configured to carry between nine and eleven passengers.
The crash adds to a weekend of widespread travel disruption across the U.S., as thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed due to snow, sleet, and freezing rain across multiple states.
