Private Jet Carrying 8 Crashes on Takeoff at Maine Airport During Winter Storm
8 vanish in private jet crash as storm ravages US east coast.
A private Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft carrying eight people crashed during takeoff Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport, authorities confirmed. The crash occurred around 7:45 p.m., with emergency crews immediately dispatched to the scene. There was no immediate update on the condition of those aboard, and the airport remained closed following the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate the accident coincided with a massive winter storm affecting New England, which brought heavy snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain, severely disrupting air and road traffic across the region.
Bangor International Airport, located approximately 200 miles north of Boston, operates direct flights to cities such as Orlando, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte. Airport officials confirmed that the crash involved a single aircraft departing the runway and stated that emergency responders were actively handling the situation.
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The winter storm, which has impacted much of the eastern U.S., caused widespread flight cancellations and delays. According to flight tracking data, roughly 12,000 flights were canceled and nearly 20,000 delayed on Sunday alone, with major hubs in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, New York, and North Carolina among the hardest hit.
The Bombardier Challenger 600, first launched in 1980, is a wide-bodied business jet typically configured for 9 to 11 passengers. It was the first private jet to feature a “walk-about cabin,” making it a popular choice for private charters and corporate travel. The aircraft remains widely used for both domestic and international business flights.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the airport area while emergency operations continue. Further updates on the status of passengers and potential damage are expected as the FAA and NTSB carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash amid extreme weather conditions.
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