A private jet carrying eight people crashed on takeoff at Bangor Airport in Maine on Sunday evening, officials confirmed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said emergency crews responded immediately, but the extent of the passengers’ injuries is not yet known.
The aircraft involved is a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet, registered to a Houston-based limited liability corporation. Federal investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to lead the crash investigation.
The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. ET as a severe snowstorm moved through the Northeast. Temperatures were well below freezing, and light snow reduced visibility at Bangor Airport. Audio recordings from LiveATC.net reveal pilots and controllers discussing low visibility and deicing procedures just minutes before the crash.
Controllers cleared the jet for takeoff from Runway 33. About two minutes later, a controller urgently radioed: “All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field!” Soon afterward, another controller reported, “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.”
Emergency crews quickly responded on the airfield, and the airport was closed following the accident. Officials later confirmed that three crew members and possibly five passengers were on board at the time of the crash.
The Bangor Airport closure and FAA investigation come amid hazardous winter weather that has already disrupted travel across the region. Low visibility and icy conditions likely contributed to the crash, though investigators have not yet confirmed the cause.
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large business jet commonly used for corporate travel. The aircraft’s registration and ownership are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities urge the public to avoid the airport area while emergency teams and investigators continue their work. More details about the passengers’ conditions and the cause of the crash are expected as the investigation progresses.
This incident adds to a string of aviation challenges in the Northeast as heavy snow and freezing temperatures affect both commercial and private flights.
