A private jet carrying eight individuals crashed during its takeoff on Sunday night at Bangor International Airport in Maine, amid a severe snowstorm impacting the northeastern United States.
As of now, the extent of any injuries to those onboard remains unknown.
A source familiar with the incident informed CNN that there have been no official updates regarding the health status of the passengers and crew.
The jet is believed to have been transporting three crew members and five passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash, which occurred around 7:45 p.m., and noted that the cause is currently under investigation.
The aircraft involved is a Bombardier Challenger 600, registered to a limited liability company based in Houston, Texas, according to federal records.
This particular model is a wide-bodied business jet typically accommodating nine to eleven passengers, renowned for its spacious cabin and frequently used for executive or charter flights.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are leading the efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash, while airport operations were suspended throughout Sunday night.
Severe Weather Conditions: The Backdrop of the Crash
The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of extreme weather conditions. A massive winter storm had been battering New England and much of the eastern United States over the weekend, resulting in sleet, freezing rain, and snowfall that disrupted both air and ground travel while affecting power supplies to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
According to CNN, temperatures were below freezing at the time of the crash, and light snowfall significantly reduced visibility.
Bangor airport had been experiencing persistent precipitation and snow accumulation, complicating takeoff maneuvers.
Minutes before the accident, radio exchanges between air traffic controllers and various aircraft highlighted the low visibility and de-icing procedures.
Although it is unclear who was communicating with whom at each moment, it is known that a controller cleared the plane for takeoff on runway 33. Shortly after, another voice was heard shouting over the radio: "Traffic stopped on the runway! Traffic stopped on the runway!" Finally, a different controller reported: "Aircraft overturned. We have a passenger aircraft overturned."
Preliminary Information and Emergency Response
The city of Bangor and airport management confirmed in a joint statement that "emergency teams remain on-site and are expected to continue their efforts for several more hours before additional information becomes available."
They also reiterated that the incident involved a single aircraft and access to the airfield was restricted to allow emergency units to work.
National Air Travel Chaos
The crash in Maine is just one facet of a much broader issue. Over the weekend, the storm led to the cancellation of more than 12,000 flights and nearly 20,000 delays across the country, impacting major airports such as those in New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, North Carolina, and Baltimore, according to data from FlightAware.
Bangor airport, which typically offers commercial flights to destinations like Orlando, Washington D.C., and Charlotte, is located approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Boston. Its location makes it particularly vulnerable to the extreme weather conditions that recur every winter in the region.
The FAA and NTSB have commenced a formal investigation into the crash, which will include an examination of pre-takeoff communications, weather data, runway conditions, the technical state of the aircraft, and the de-icing procedures that were applied.
Key Details of the Maine Plane Crash
What type of plane was involved in the Maine crash?
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Challenger 600, a wide-bodied business jet known for its spacious cabin and typically used for executive or charter flights.
What were the weather conditions at the time of the crash?
At the time of the crash, a severe winter storm was affecting the region, with below-freezing temperatures and light snowfall significantly reducing visibility.
Who is investigating the plane crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash.