In brief
On Sunday night, a Bombardier Challenger 600 with eight on board crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine amidst a significant winter storm. Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene, while the airport remains closed during the investigation by the FAA and NTSB. The winter system has severely disrupted air travel across the eastern United States, with thousands of flights canceled or delayed.
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A private aircraft carrying eight people crashed on takeoff Sunday night at Maine’s Bangor International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down around 7:45 p.m., with no immediate information on the conditions of those aboard. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident.
The crash occurred during a massive winter storm that affected much of New England. Steady snowfall was reported at Bangor, alongside other areas affected by the severe weather.
In a statement, the airport announced that emergency services were deployed to the scene and that operations had been suspended due to the incident involving the aircraft.
Bangor International Airport, situated approximately 200 miles north of Boston, services several direct flights to destinations including Orlando, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The winter storm has resulted in significant travel disruptions, with the FAA reporting cancellations or delays of nearly 32,000 flights nationwide over the weekend. Approximately 12,000 flights were canceled on Sunday alone. Major airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey were among the hardest hit.
Commercial air travel remains heavily impacted as this winter system continues to dump sleet, freezing rain, and snow across the eastern half of the United States, disrupting both air and road traffic.
The Bombardier Challenger 600, introduced in 1980, is recognized for its spacious ‘walk-about cabin’ design, offering capacity for nine to 11 passengers and is a popular choice in the private jet charter market.
