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A business jet carrying eight people crashed and caught fire during takeoff at Bangor International Airport on Sunday night, killing seven passengers and crew members, federal officials said. One crew member survived with serious injuries.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time under heavy snow and frigid conditions, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft "crashed under unknown circumstances on departure" before coming to rest upside down and bursting into flames, preliminary FAA findings showed.
Public records indicate the twin-engine jet is registered to KTKJ Challenger LLC, a company linked to Houston trial attorneys Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold. The law partners have represented clients in personal injury cases and immigration matters. Officials have not confirmed the identities of those aboard or released information about the flight's origin or intended destination.
Bangor International Airport director Jose Saavedra said the facility would remain closed until at least Wednesday as investigators examine the crash site. He declined to provide additional details, deferring to FAA and National Transportation Safety Board officials leading the investigation.
"We're not ready to share additional information," Saavedra told reporters Monday.
The National Guard, local firefighters and first responders from approximately 10 municipalities responded to the scene, according to airport officials. Bangor Police Sergeant Jeremy Brock acknowledged the challenging conditions at the time of the incident.
Temperatures hovered around 2 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of minus 13 degrees and light snow falling when the crash occurred, National Weather Service data showed. Winds from the northeast reached approximately 10 miles per hour.
Audio from air traffic control communications captured discussions between controllers and pilots minutes before the crash concerning poor visibility, though officials have not confirmed which aircraft were involved in those exchanges. Shortly after, a controller reported "a passenger aircraft upside down" on the runway.
Bangor remained under a winter storm warning through Tuesday, with forecasters predicting between 10 and 16 inches of snow accumulation. The broader winter storm disrupted air travel across the eastern United States, with more than 11,000 flights canceled and nearly 5,500 delayed on Sunday, according to flight tracker FlightAware.
The NTSB has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Federal investigators typically examine factors including weather conditions, mechanical issues, pilot communications and maintenance records when determining the cause of aviation accidents.
Bangor International Airport, located approximately 300 miles east of Montreal and 240 miles north of Boston, serves commercial carriers including Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta and United Airlines. The facility handles both commercial and private aviation traffic.
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