Plane CRASHES — Eight Aboard

Newspaper headline about a plane crash. — HARROWING PLANE CRASH

A private jet with eight aboard flipped upside down during takeoff in a brutal Maine snowstorm.

Story Snapshot

Bombardier Challenger 600/650 jet crashed at Bangor International Airport around 7:45 p.m. ET on January 25, 2026, during peak winter storm conditions.
Air traffic control reported the aircraft “upside down” immediately after a takeoff attempt in low visibility and heavy snow.
No confirmed injuries or fatalities as of January 26 morning, though passenger conditions remain unknown.
FAA and NTSB launched an investigation; the runway was closed, disrupting regional travel.
Jet registered to Houston LLC, highlighting risks of private charters in severe weather.

Crash Details and Timeline

The Bombardier Challenger 600/650 private business jet carried eight people when it crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Air traffic control captured a distress call noting a “passenger aircraft upside down.”

The airport quickly confirmed the event on Facebook, closed the runway, and deployed emergency crews while advising the public to avoid the area. Other flights faced immediate cancellations.

Severe Weather Context

A massive winter storm battered the eastern U.S. from January 24-26, 2026, bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and sub-freezing temperatures to New England. The storm caused over 11,000 flight cancellations and more than 5,500 delays nationwide, alongside widespread power outages.

Bangor experienced steady snowfall and low visibility before the crash. Pre-crash air traffic control discussions highlighted visibility challenges, underscoring the high-risk conditions for departure.

DEVELOPING: A Bombardier Challenger 650 private jet with 8 people on board crashed on takeoff from Bangor, Maine tonight, a source familiar tells me. FAA NOTAM says Bangor International Airport is now closed. More to come. pic.twitter.com/bxNyRFlvK2

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) January 26, 2026

Stakeholders and Response

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the Bombardier Challenger 600 involvement and notified the National Transportation Safety Board, which leads the cause investigation. Bangor International Airport, located 200 miles north of Boston, managed the ground response and public safety measures.

The jet belongs to an unnamed Houston-based LLC per federal records. Passengers and crew remain unidentified, with their conditions unknown. Airport operations halted post-incident.

The FAA and NTSB hold primary investigative authority, while the airport coordinates local efforts. No destination for the flight has been reported. Emergency services strained under storm demands, affecting Bangor locals and regional travelers.

Impacts and Investigation Outlook

Short-term effects include runway closure at Bangor, amplifying storm-related travel disruptions for routes to Orlando, D.C., and Charlotte. Long-term, findings may trigger reviews of private jet weather protocols or advisories from the FAA, given the Challenger series’ popularity for charters.

Economic costs mount from cancellations, hitting airlines and passengers. Weather emerges as the prime suspect, consistent across reports, though final cause awaits NTSB conclusions. No political ramifications noted.

Core facts align across U.S. media outlets, with minor variances on model variant (600 vs. 650, same family) and injury status—one unverified report claims no casualties. Gaps persist on identities and outcomes due to early-stage probe.