Liputan6.com, Jakarta - A tragic incident rocked Bangor International Airport, Maine, United States, on Sunday evening, January 25, 2026.
A Bombardier Challenger 600 private business jet crashed and burst into flames while attempting to take off from the runway.
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The tragic accident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time, amidst extreme weather conditions characterized by a snowstorm and bitterly cold temperatures.
All seven people on board the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene, as reported by BBC.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially reported a different number of casualties, Bangor Airport later confirmed that the flight manifest listed only six passengers and crew.
Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragedy, which claimed six lives in Bangor.
How the Tragic Accident in Bangor Happened
The Bombardier Challenger 600 private jet crash happened on Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, at approximately 7:45 PM local time, at Bangor International Airport, Maine.
The business jet reportedly "overturned and caught fire" after the incident.
At the time of the incident, the Bangor area was experiencing a heavy snowstorm, with freezing conditions and very limited visibility.
Despite this, the airport remained operational, and several other aircraft were reported to have taken off safely earlier.
Following the crash, Bangor International Airport was immediately closed to the public.
The death toll was confirmed at seven and one injured, according to the initial information from the FAA.
In-depth Investigation
The investigation into this tragic accident in Bangor is being handled by two major federal agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The two agencies are working together to gather evidence and analyze all possible contributing factors to the incident.
The initial focus of the NTSB investigation will likely be on the extreme weather conditions and potential wing icing.
Aviation experts have noted that the Bombardier Challenger 600 model has a history of problems with icing during takeoff, which has led to similar accidents in the past.
The NTSB has stated that preliminary information indicates the aircraft crashed during takeoff and experienced a post-crash fire.
Aircraft Background and Flight Route to Bangor
The Bombardier Challenger 600 private jet that crashed in Bangor was registered to a company that shares an address with the prominent personal injury law firm, Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers, based in Houston, Texas.
Flight tracking data from ADS-B Exchange shows the jet departing Houston's Hobby Airport around 2:20 PM and arriving at Bangor International Airport around 6:10 PM.
The aircraft then received clearance from Bangor air traffic controllers to continue its flight to Paris-Vatry Airport in France.
The air traffic controller's audio recording records a dramatic report about 45 seconds after the plane was cleared for takeoff.
Someone can be heard saying, "The plane is flipping. We have a passenger plane flipping," indicating the speed and severity of the incident in Bangor.