A private business jet crashed during takeoff at Maine’s Bangor International Airport on Sunday night, killing seven people and leaving one seriously injured. The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, was reported to have crashed around 7:45 p.m. local time. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane came to rest inverted after the crash and caught fire.
The plane was registered to a law firm based in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred during a widespread winter storm that affected New England and much of the country, with Bangor experiencing steady snowfall on Sunday night.
Emergency crews responded immediately following the crash, prompting Bangor International Airport to close for most of Monday morning. Airport director Jose Saavedra confirmed that the aircraft was still on the runway early Monday but stated operations would not resume until Wednesday at noon. Saavedra declined to provide further details on the condition of those involved or the aircraft’s destination, saying he would defer to the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board investigators.
“We’re not ready to share additional information,” Saavedra told reporters on Monday.
The crash also triggered a response from local emergency services, including the National Guard, firefighters, and first responders from approximately 10 other municipalities. Weather conditions at the time of the incident were cold, with temperatures around 2 degrees Fahrenheit and a windchill of minus 13 degrees. Light snow was reported in the area. Bangor had been under a winter storm warning Sunday night.
