Private jet carrying eight passengers crashes in Wales

A private jet with eight people on board crashed while attempting to take off from Bangor International Airport in Maine on the night of January 25, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA said the aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, went down around 7:45 PM  local time. All eight occupants were aboard at the time of the crash. Federal investigators, along with the National Transportation Safety Board, are examining what led to the incident, and Maine State Police are assisting local officials.

Bangor International Airport acknowledged the crash in a social media post shortly after 8:30 PM, confirming that emergency crews had responded and were evaluating the situation. Airport officials did not release further details but said the runway was shut down and asked the public to stay away from the area. The FAA later confirmed the airport’s closure.

A government official briefed on the matter told Reuters that the crash was followed by a substantial fire. The official said the jet had recently arrived in Maine after a flight from Texas.

FlightRadar24, an aviation tracking service, reported that available data suggested the aircraft was preparing to depart Bangor after flying in from Houston when the crash occurred.

Bangor International Airport, which serves both civilian and military operations, is located about 129 miles northeast of Portland and operates a single runway.

The crash happened as a powerful winter storm moved across the Northeast, bringing heavy snowfall and bitter cold. A winter storm warning for the Bangor area remained in effect through early Jan. 27, according to the National Weather Service.