Private Jet Carrying 8 People Crashes During Takeoff

A private jet carrying eight people erupted into flames during takeoff at a Maine airport over the weekend, shutting down the runway and triggering a major emergency response.

The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, crashed as it was attempting to take off from Bangor International Airport around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, January 25, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA confirmed that eight people were on board the jet at the time of the crash; seven were killed and a crew member survived with serious injuries.

“Emergency services are responding to an incident involving an aircraft at BIA that occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Sunday,” airport officials said in a statement. “The airport is closed and we ask that the public avoid the area.”

According to reports from Reuters and KHOU, the plane had arrived in Maine from Texas and is registered to a company with a Houston address linked to the personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin.

Government officials told Reuters there was a “significant fire” following the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board later confirmed the aircraft experienced a post-crash fire.

Dramatic images from the scene show the jet upside down on the runway, engulfed in flames, with thick smoke filling the air as emergency crews rushed to contain the blaze.

The incident happened as snow began falling in the area, amid poor weather conditions across the region. However, officials said visibility at the time of takeoff was reportedly at least one mile, with full visibility of the runway. It remains unclear whether weather played a role in the crash.

“First responders are still on scene and are expected to be actively working the site for several more hours before any additional information is available,” the FAA said, adding that an Emergency Operations Center was established.

The crash forced flight cancellations at the airport, with passengers urged to contact their airlines for updates on travel disruptions.

Both the FAA and the NTSB have launched investigations into what caused the jet to go down. The NTSB said investigators were en route to the scene and would begin documenting evidence and examining the aircraft before it is moved to a secure facility for further analysis.

The incident comes as winter storms swept across Maine and large parts of the country over the weekend, prompting weather warnings and hazardous travel conditions that are expected to continue through Tuesday, January 27, according to local station WABI.

As of Monday, the FAA had not released additional details about the condition of those on board or the cause of the crash.