A private jet with eight individuals on board crashed shortly after departing from a bustling airport in the United States, amid heavy snowfall. The incident involving the Bombardier Challenger 600 occurred around 7:45 pm at Maine’s Bangor International Airport. Authorities are investigating the crash, and the condition of the passengers is currently unknown.
The accident took place during a severe winter storm affecting New England and various parts of the country, including Bangor, which experienced continuous snowfall on Sunday. Emergency response teams were deployed to the airport, leading to its closure following an incident with a single departing aircraft.
In a recording before takeoff, the pilot and air traffic control discussed the poor visibility caused by the weather conditions. Despite being granted permission to take off, the aircraft experienced difficulties, leading to a distress call indicating the plane had overturned, with potentially three crew members and five passengers on board.
Bangor International Airport, located approximately 200 miles north of Boston, offers direct flights to cities such as Orlando, Washington DC, and Charlotte. The weekend’s severe storm caused widespread disruptions across the eastern US, resulting in flight cancellations and delays, affecting airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey.
The Bombardier Challenger 600, a spacious business jet designed for nine to 11 passengers, debuted in 1980 as the first private jet featuring a “walk-about cabin.” It remains a popular choice for charter services.