Bombardier Challenger 600 crashes at Bangor airport during takeoff; at least six killed

A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed during takeoff Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport in Maine, killing at least six people, officials said. The jet went down around 7:45 p.m. as it was taking off. There were conflicting accounts of how many people were aboard: an FAA report on Monday said seven passengers were killed and one crew member was seriously injured, while Bangor police said a flight manifest indicated six people on board and that "No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased." The identities of the victims had not been released as of midday Monday.

The crash occurred as a winter storm brought heavy snow and wind across the East Coast, though there was no immediate word on whether the weather played a role. The FAA said that, based on preliminary information, the plane crashed on departure, "came to rest inverted and caught on fire." Airport director Jose Saavedra said emergency workers were on the scene in less than a minute and that the Maine Air National Guard and firefighters from Bangor and about 10 other municipalities responded.

The National Transportation Safety Board said a team of investigators was on its way and that it would not have further updates until they arrive; "due to the weather, it is difficult to predict when that will be, but we expect it will be in the next day or two," the agency said.

Key Topics

World, Bangor International Airport, Faa, Ntsb, Jose Saavedra, Bangor Police