Bangor airport disputes FAA report, says 6 people died in Sunday night's plane crash
BANGOR (WGME) -- Six people are dead after a private jet crashed during takeoff at the Bangor International Airport Sunday night.
The Federal Aviation Authority initially reported that seven people died in the crash, although the Bangor airport and first responders confirmed only six people were killed.
According to the FAA, a 2020 Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed while taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday.
The business jet was registered to Houston-based company KTKJ Challenger LLC, according to the FAA.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
According to Penobscot County dispatch, the plane landed upside down.
Bangor International Airport Director Jose Saavedra was asked why the plane was allowed to take off during snowy conditions on Monday night.
“The airport remained open with planes landing and departing around that time and we had crews on site responding to the ongoing storm we had at that time,” Saavedra said.
The airport director was asked if there are protocols for airport operations during winter weather.
- Also read: Nor'easter drops a foot of snow in parts of Maine, more accumulation expected Monday night
Saavedra said they prepare for weather on a regular basis, adding snow removal and de-icing was happening and crews were on site to address the weather event.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be investigating the cause of the crash.
The airport remains closed. There are numerous flight cancellations and diversions. Passengers are encouraged to contact their airlines for information regarding impacts to their travel plans.
This was Maine's deadliest passenger plane crash since August 25, 1985, when a Bar Harbor Airlines flight crashed in Auburn, killing eight.
Maine's deadliest passenger plane crash occurred on May 30, 1979, when a Downeast Airlines flight crashed in Rockland, killing 17 and injuring one.
