Private jet carrying eight crashes in Maine

January 26, 2026

A Bombardier Challenger 600 private jet carrying eight passengers crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 PM local time on Sunday evening. The crash occurred during a severe winter storm affecting much of the United States, with pilots reportedly experiencing poor visibility conditions at the airport prior to the accident. Emergency crews responded to the scene where the aircraft ended up upside down with smoke and flames on the runway, though the condition and identities of the eight people aboard remained unknown immediately following the incident.

Who is affected

Eight people aboard the Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft
Emergency crews responding to the crash
Travelers at Bangor International Airport
Members of the public in the Bangor area
Air traffic controllers at the airport
Travelers at airports across the US experiencing cancellations and delays

What action is being taken

Emergency crews are responding to the crash scene
Bangor International Airport has closed
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident

Why it matters

This crash highlights the dangerous conditions created by the severe winter storm affecting large portions of the United States, which has already caused multiple fatalities and left hundreds of thousands without power. The incident demonstrates how extreme weather can severely compromise aviation safety, as evidenced by poor visibility conditions reported before the crash and the widespread flight disruptions affecting more than 16,000 flights nationwide. The outcome for the eight people aboard remains unclear, making this a potentially serious loss-of-life incident during an already deadly weather event.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC