A private business jet carrying eight people crashed and overturned at Bangor International Airport in the US state of Maine on Sunday evening, as severe winter weather affected visibility across the region, according to US aviation authorities.
The aircraft, identified as a Bombardier Challenger 650, was involved in the incident at Bangor International Airport at around 7.45pm local time. The extent of injuries to those on board was not immediately known, a source briefed on the incident told CNN.
In a statement, the airport said emergency crews responded immediately and established an emergency operations centre. “First responders are still on the scene and are expected to be actively working the site for several more hours before any additional information is available,” the City of Bangor and the airport said, adding that the facility would remain closed overnight.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that both it and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
The incident occurred as a major snowstorm moved through the northeastern United States, with temperatures well below freezing and light snowfall causing very low visibility in Maine. Audio from LiveATC.net indicates that air traffic controllers and pilots were discussing low visibility and de-icing shortly before the crash.
According to the recording, the aircraft was cleared for take-off from Runway 33. Nearly two minutes later, a controller is heard urgently announcing that all traffic on the field had been stopped, followed by confirmation that a passenger aircraft was upside down. Emergency vehicles were then allowed onto the airfield.
Controllers later indicated that there were three crew members and possibly five passengers on board. Federal records show the aircraft was registered to a limited liability company based in Houston.
Source: CNN