Private Jet Crashes in Maine, All 6 On Board Presumed Dead
A tragic incident occurred at Bangor International Airport in Maine, where a private business jet crashed during a snowstorm, resulting in the presumed deaths of all six people on board. The Bombardier Challenger 600 jet crashed around 7:45 p.m., and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the incident.
According to the FAA’s preliminary report, the plane “came to rest inverted and caught fire.” However, the police later confirmed that there were six people on the flight, and all are presumed to be deceased. The plane was registered to a law firm based in Houston, Texas, as reported by CBS affiliate KHOU. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed that the severe weather conditions may have played a role.
Incident Details and Response
The crash occurred as a massive winter storm was affecting New England and much of the country, with Bangor experiencing steady snowfall throughout the day. The airport was closed after the incident, and emergency crews were quickly deployed to the scene. The airport issued a statement urging people to avoid the area and announced the cancellation of other flights.
Air traffic controllers’ conversations, as recorded by LiveATC.net, revealed discussions about visibility issues before the crash. One controller was heard saying, “a passenger aircraft upside down.” The NTSB has stated that it will not release information about the victims, and the airport director, Jose Saavedra, refused to comment, citing the need for guidance and support from federal partners.
Weather Conditions and Plane History
The National Weather Service in Caribou, Maine, reported that the airport received nearly 10 inches of snow, with the snowfall starting around the time of the crash. The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-bodied business jet that can accommodate 9 to 11 passengers. According to aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, this particular plane model has a history of problems with icing on takeoff, which has caused previous crashes.
Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, noted that even a small amount of ice on the wings can cause serious problems, and the plane would have needed to be deiced before takeoff. The plane had landed at Bangor from Houston at 6:09 p.m. and was likely sitting outside in the snow for over an hour before attempting to take off again, increasing the risk of ice buildup on the wings.
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