The Federal Aviation Administration said the Bombardier Challenger business jet went down at around 7:45 pm local time while attempting to depart. The aircraft caught fire after the crash, and emergency crews responded swiftly to the scene.
Airport officials said first responders were on site by about 8 pm and urged the public to avoid the airport while the runway remained closed. Authorities have not confirmed any deaths, and the extent of injuries among those on board was not immediately known.
A US government official briefed on the incident said the post-crash fire was significant, though further details about survivability were still unavailable.
The crash occurred as a powerful winter storm swept across the northeastern United States. Snow had begun falling in Bangor earlier in the evening, with temperatures around 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Meteorologists warned that parts of New England could receive up to two feet of snow, raising concerns about dangerous travel conditions into Monday.
The jet had arrived in Maine earlier from Texas, according to officials. The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, entered service in 2020, according to FAA records.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with support from the FAA. Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, aircraft performance, and airport operations as they work to determine the cause of the crash.
