Federal Aviation Administration: 7 Dead, 1 Injured in Maine Jet Crash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed during takeoff in Bangor, Maine, killing seven. One crew member survived with serious injuries. Heavy snowfall from a major winter storm played a role.
Maine Jet Crash Quick Looks
- Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed during takeoff Sunday night.
- Seven people died, one crew member survived with serious injuries.
- Crash occurred amid heavy snowfall from a widespread winter storm.
- Airport shut down after the incident; expected to reopen by Wednesday.
- NTSB and FAA are investigating; full report expected in days.
- Plane flipped over and caught fire, according to air traffic audio.
- Crash took place at Bangor International Airport, 200 miles from Boston.
- Snowstorm also caused massive flight delays and power outages across the U.S.
- The Challenger 600 is a popular luxury business jet for up to 11 passengers.
- 12,000+ flights were canceled across the U.S. during the storm’s peak.
Deep Look: Federal Aviation Administration: 7 Dead, 1 Injured in Maine Jet Crash
Bangor, Maine — Seven people were killed and one crew member survived after a business jet crashed during takeoff amid a snowstorm at Bangor International Airport on Sunday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, was carrying eight individuals when it flipped upside down and caught fire around 7:45 p.m. as it attempted to lift off in blizzard conditions. The surviving crew member sustained serious injuries, officials said Monday morning.
The crash occurred while much of New England and the eastern U.S. battled a powerful winter storm that dropped snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southeast to the Northeast. In Bangor, snowfall was heavy at the time of the crash, although airport officials noted that planes were successfully taking off and landing around the same period.
“This is normal for us to respond to weather events,” said airport director Jose Saavedra. “We had crews on site dealing with the storm conditions.”
The airport, located about 200 miles north of Boston, was immediately shut down following the crash and is expected to remain closed until at least Wednesday noon, as authorities continue their investigation and clear the wreckage.
Disturbing Audio Reveals Urgency
Audio from air traffic control, released after the incident, includes a chilling message: “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down,” called out just seconds after the aircraft was cleared for takeoff. First responders arrived within a minute, according to Saavedra.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are now investigating. The NTSB confirmed that the crash occurred during departure and resulted in a post-crash fire, but added that no further details would be released until investigators arrive on-site.
Local officials have deferred public comment about the victims until authorized by federal partners. The NTSB also emphasized that it does not manage victim identification, leaving that responsibility to local authorities.
Deadly Storm Impact Across the U.S.
The Maine crash is the latest tragedy connected to a winter storm that wreaked havoc across the eastern half of the U.S. Over the weekend, the storm knocked out power for hundreds of thousands and paralyzed transportation networks.
According to FlightAware, 12,000 flights were canceled on Sunday alone, with another 20,000 delayed. Major airports affected included hubs in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, and North Carolina.
The Challenger 600, first launched in 1980, is a luxury wide-bodied business jet typically configured for 9 to 11 passengers. Known for its spacious “walk-about cabin,” it remains a popular choice among charter services and corporations.
About Bangor International Airport
Bangor International is a regional airport offering direct flights to cities like Orlando, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C. It is equipped to handle winter conditions but, like many airports during extreme storms, faced additional challenges Sunday night due to the volume of snowfall.
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