A private jet carrying eight people has crashed while taking off from Bangor International Airport in the US state of Maine, aviation authorities have reported.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down at around 19:45 local time (00:45 GMT on Monday), according to the Federal Aviation Administration, though the fates and identities of those aboard remain unknown.
The crash occurred as a dangerous winter storm swept across a large area of the US, resulting in fatalities and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Pilots had been experiencing difficulties due to poor visibility at the airport before the incident.
Bangor is currently under a winter storm warning until Tuesday, with forecasts predicting heavy snowfall.
Following the crash, Bangor International Airport announced its closure, urging the public to avoid the area as emergency teams responded. Recorded communications from air traffic control minutes before the crash indicated concerns about visibility. Shortly afterward, a transmission mentioned a “passenger aircraft upside down,” with images from the scene showing smoke and flames on the runway.
The weather disturbances have contributed to severe travel disruptions, leading to over 11,000 flight cancellations and nearly 5,500 delays across the US on Sunday. Airports in significant cities like Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York have been notably affected.
The National Weather Service forecasts between 10 and 16 inches (25-40 cm) of snow to accumulate in parts of Maine, including Bangor, by Tuesday morning.
}
