A private jet carrying eight individuals crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday evening, January 25, 2026. The incident, which occurred amidst a significant winter storm, resulted in the deaths of seven people, with one crew member surviving with serious injuries. Federal authorities are investigating the crash.
The incident resulted in the deaths of seven people, with one crew member surviving with serious injuries.
Incident Details
The crash involved a private jet, identified as a Bombardier Challenger 600 by some sources and a Bombardier Challenger 650 by another. The aircraft had eight individuals on board.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time (00:45 GMT Monday) on Sunday, January 25, 2026, during an attempted takeoff from Bangor International Airport. Seven of the eight occupants died, and one crew member sustained serious injuries.
Preliminary information indicates the plane crashed upon departure and experienced a post-crash fire.
Air traffic control audio recorded a report of an "Aircraft upside down" shortly after takeoff clearance. First responders were on the scene within one minute.
Environmental Conditions
The crash took place amidst a significant winter storm affecting the Northeast and wider eastern U.S. Conditions in Bangor included below-freezing temperatures, light but steady snowfall, and winds around 10 mph.
The National Weather Service reported nearly 10 inches of snow in total for the airport. Pilots had reported reduced visibility in the area prior to the event. Bangor was under a winter storm warning at the time.
Airport Operations and Response
Bangor International Airport closed following the incident and is expected to remain closed for investigation and wreckage removal. Airport Director Jose Saavedra confirmed that the airport was open and conducting deicing operations at the time, with both commercial and private planes operating.
Airport officials stated that crews regularly respond to weather events, and planes were being deiced. Other aircraft had been taking off safely around the time of the crash.
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. The NTSB is expected to arrive at the scene to commence their investigation, which led to the airport's closure for at least 24 hours.
Aircraft Details and Context
Federal records indicate the plane is registered to a limited liability corporation based in Houston. This corporation shares an address with the personal injury law firm Arnold and Itkin Trial Lawyers, and a founding partner of the law firm is listed as the registered agent for the owning company.
The jet had landed in Bangor from Houston at 6:09 p.m. and remained on the ground in the snow for over an hour before attempting its subsequent takeoff.
Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti noted that the Bombardier Challenger 600 model has a history of problems with ice buildup on wings causing takeoff crashes, emphasizing the critical role of deicing.
Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti noted that the Bombardier Challenger 600 model has a history of problems with ice buildup on wings causing takeoff crashes, emphasizing the critical role of deicing.
The NTSB has previously cited cold jet fuel in wing tanks as a factor in ice buildup. Both Bombardier and the FAA had previously recommended new procedures to ensure wings are free of ice, which had led to a reduction in related crashes in recent years.
Wider Storm Impact
The incident occurred during a vast winter storm that caused widespread disruptions across the eastern U.S. The storm brought sleet, freezing rain, and snow, resulting in significant disruptions to air and road traffic and widespread power outages.
Approximately 12,000 flights were canceled and nearly 20,000 were delayed across the U.S. on Sunday.