7 dead, 1 seriously injured after plane crashes at Bangor airport

BANGOR, Maine (WGME) — Seven people are dead and one person is seriously injured after a private jet crashed during takeoff at the Bangor International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Authority.

According to the FAA, a 2020 Bombardier Challenger 600, which has eight people on board, crashed while taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday.

The business jet was registered to Houston-based company KTKJ Challenger LLC, according to the FAA.

The condition of the survivor is not known at this time. The name of the victims have not yet been released.

Bangor International Airport Director Jose Saavedra was asked why the plane was allowed to take off during snowy conditions on Monday night.

“The airport remained open with planes landing and departing around that time and we had crews on site responding to the ongoing storm we had at that time,” Saavedra said.

The airport director was asked if there are protocols for airport operations during winter weather.

Saavedra said they prepare for weather on a regular basis, adding snow removal and de-icing was happening and crews were on site to address the weather event.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be investigating the cause of the crash.

The airport remains closed . There are numerous flight cancellations and diversions. Passengers are encouraged to contact their airlines for information regarding impacts to their travel plans.

This was Maine’s deadliest passenger plane crash since August 25, 1985, when a Bar Harbor Airlines flight crashed in Auburn, killing eight.

Maine’s deadliest passenger plane crash occurred on May 30, 1979, when a Downeast Airlines flight crashed in Rockland, killing 17 and injuring one.