Jet with 8 onboard crashes, bursts into flames at US airport amid winter storm

A private jet carrying eight people crashed and burst into flames while taking off from Bangor Airport in the US state of Maine on Sunday evening, US aviation authorities said, with the fate and identities of those on board not immediately known.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 600 turbofan jet went down at around 7.45 pm local time. The agency added that it has launched an investigation into the incident.

A government official briefed on the matter told news agency Reuters that a significant fire broke out after the crash. Emergency response details were not immediately available.

Weather reports showed that light snow had begun falling at the airport before the accident, though authorities did not indicate whether weather conditions contributed to the crash. A winter storm warning was in effect across much of Maine, including Bangor, the state’s third-largest city.

According to the official, the aircraft had arrived in Maine from Texas earlier. The plane’s registered owner shares a Houston address with Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury law firm.

FAA records indicate that the aircraft entered service in April 2020. The FAA said the investigation will be conducted jointly with the Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

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