An aircraft carrying eight people crashed during a takeoff attempt Sunday night at Bangor International Airport in Maine, according to federal officials. The incident occurred as the plane was departing, prompting an immediate emergency response.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was a Bombardier Challenger 600 that went down at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time on Jan. 25. In a post on X, the FAA confirmed that all eight individuals were on board at the time of the crash.
The agency described the information as preliminary and subject to change, adding that both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, and the crash forced Bangor International Airport to shut down operations. The closure disrupted flights in and out of the region, creating travel complications for passengers.
In a joint statement released on Facebook, the Bangor Police Department and Bangor International Airport confirmed the airport remained closed Monday morning. Officials warned of numerous flight cancellations and diversions as a result of the shutdown.
The crash comes amid widespread flight delays and cancellations across the country caused by severe winter weather. Federal investigators are expected to remain on site as they work to determine what led to the aircraft’s failed takeoff.