In a tragic turn of events, a plane carrying eight individuals crashed during its takeoff attempt on Sunday evening in Maine, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident involved a Bombardier Challenger 600, which met its unfortunate fate at around 7:45 p.m. local time at the Bangor International Airport.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, the FAA confirmed, “A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed as it was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m local time on Sunday, Jan. 25. Eight people were on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.” They also emphasized that the details provided are “preliminary and subject to change,” indicating that the situation is still developing.

Bangor International Airport, now a focal point of this investigation, remained closed the following Monday. This closure was confirmed in a joint news release posted on the Facebook pages of both the Bangor Maine Police Department and the Bangor International Airport. The statement detailed the immediate response to the accident, noting that multiple emergency crews were dispatched to the scene of the crash on Sunday night. At approximately 7:45 p.m., reports began circulating about an incident involving a single departing aircraft.

The community and authorities are now left grappling with the aftermath of this aviation disaster, as investigations by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ensue to uncover what led to this tragic event.

The airport remained closed on Monday, according to a news release posted to the Facebook pages of the Bangor Maine Police Department and the Bangor International Airport on Monday morning.

“Multiple emergency crews responded to an aircraft accident at Bangor International Airport (BGR) Sunday night,” according to the release. “At approximately 7:45 p.m. there were reports of an incident involving a single aircraft that was departing from BGR.”

Bombardier Challenger 600-2B16 personal jet of Lance Stroll, Aston Martin during the French GP at Circuit Paul Ricard on Thursday June 17, 2021 in Le Castellet, France.  (Jerry Andre/LAT Images)

“The airport remains closed at this time. There are numerous flight cancellations and diversions,” the release noted.

Bangor International Airport in Maine (WVII)

Many flights around the country have been canceled recently as much of the U.S. has been facing winter weather.