Private Jet Crash in Maine Snowstorm Claims Seven Lives During Takeoff
Seven people have tragically lost their lives and one crew member has sustained serious injuries after a private jet crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine, USA. The incident occurred on Sunday evening as a severe winter snowstorm swept across the region, creating hazardous conditions for aviation.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Bombardier Challenger 600, which was carrying eight individuals at the time of the accident. The crash took place at approximately 7:45pm local time during the takeoff phase from the airport, which is located about 200 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have reported that preliminary information indicates the plane experienced a post-crash fire upon departure. The NTSB has stated that a full investigation will commence once their teams arrive at the site within the next day or two, with no further official statements expected until then.
Weather Conditions and Airport Response
The crash occurred as a massive winter storm engulfed much of the United States, including New England. Bangor International Airport received nearly 10 inches of snowfall on Sunday, with heavy precipitation reported at the time of the incident. Despite the challenging weather, airport officials noted that accumulation had just begun in Bangor and other aircraft had been taking off safely prior to the crash.
Airport Director Jose Saavedra addressed the media at a news conference, stating that he was "awaiting guidance and support from federal partners" and declined to provide further comments. The airport has been closed following the accident and is expected to remain shut until at least noon on Wednesday.
Emergency Response and Investigation
First responders arrived at the crash scene less than a minute after the incident occurred, according to official statements. Audio recordings from air traffic controllers captured someone reporting "Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down" approximately 45 seconds after the plane had been cleared for takeoff.
The jet is registered to a corporation that shares the same Houston, Texas address as the personal injury law firm Arnold and Itkin Trial Lawyers. One of the firm's founding partners is listed as the registered agent for the company that owns the aircraft. Both the FAA and NTSB are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Broader Impact of the Winter Storm
The accident occurred amid widespread travel disruption across the United States due to the severe winter weather. According to flight tracking service FlightAware, approximately 12,000 flights were cancelled on Sunday with nearly 20,000 additional flights experiencing delays nationwide.
Bangor International Airport, which serves as the largest city in Maine's northern and eastern regions, typically maintains operations during winter conditions. The airport's website boasts that its runways are "ready rain or shine - or snow" under the motto "A Little Snow Doesn't Scare Us," highlighting its joint use agreement with the Maine Air National Guard for maintaining operational readiness during adverse weather.
As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash while the aviation community grapples with this tragic loss during challenging winter conditions.
