At a Glance
- A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed on take-off from Bangor International Airport on January 25, 2026.
- 7 people were killed and 1 was seriously injured.
- The airport remained closed until at least noon Wednesday.
A small business jet went down just after sunset at Bangor International Airport, setting off a large emergency response in the midst of a snowstorm that was affecting New England.
Crash Details
The aircraft was a Bombardier Challenger 600, a wide-bodied business jet that can seat nine to eleven passengers. It was carrying 8 people when it crashed while taking off at about 7:45 p.m. local time on January 25, 2026.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s preliminary report, posted online an hour after the incident, stated:
“AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES ON DEPARTURE, CAME TO REST INVERTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE,” the report reads.
Later that morning, Bangor police released an updated statement that corrected the FAA’s figures:
“According to the flight manifest there were six people on the flight. No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased. The identities of the people on the flight are not being released publicly at this time, pending positive identification.”
Investigations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed Monday that it is involved. In a press release, the agency said a team of investigators is assembling and will arrive on scene shortly. Once on site, they will:
- Document the crash scene.
- Secure the aircraft.
- Transport the jet to a secure facility for further evaluation.
A preliminary report will be available within 30 days.
The NTSB also clarified that it has no role in releasing the identities of accident victims or the extent of injuries. That responsibility lies with local authorities.
Airport Response
Bangor International Airport posted an update Monday morning stating that the airport will remain closed until at least noon on Wednesday. Passengers were encouraged to contact their airlines for travel-plan updates.
Airport director Jose Saavedra explained the airport’s weather protocol during a Monday media availability:
“The airport remained open, there were planes landing and departing around that time and we had crews on site responding to the ongoing storm we had at that time,” he said. “We have crews on site that respond to weather storms and we prepare for this on a regular basis. This is normal for us to deal with weather events and we had crews on site to address the weather event that we had ongoing. The snow removal operations were in progress and there were planes landing and departing around the time of the incident.”
Weather Conditions
The crash occurred during a snowstorm that was hitting New England. In Bangor, visibility was about 3/4 of a mile and only light snow was falling. Despite the weather, the airport continued to operate flights to cities such as Orlando, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Impact on Travel
With the airport closed until Wednesday noon, passengers were advised to check with airlines for cancellations or delays. The incident highlighted how quickly weather can affect operations, even when crews are prepared for such events.
Next Steps
- The FAA’s preliminary report will be updated as more information becomes available.
- The NTSB will release a detailed report within 30 days.
- Local authorities will handle the release of victim identities.
The incident remains under investigation, and updates will be provided as the agencies gather more evidence.
Key Takeaways
- A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed on take-off from Bangor International Airport on January 25, 2026.
- 7 people died and 1 was seriously injured.
- The airport remained closed until noon Wednesday, and the NTSB will issue a preliminary report within 30 days.
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