A private jet carrying eight people crashed during takeoff at an airport in Maine, USA, amid a severe snowstorm.
A private jet crashed while taking off from Bangor Airport in Maine, in the northeastern United States, on Sunday evening local time. The plane had eight people on board, including passengers and crew, confirmed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Sources familiar with the initial information told CNN that the extent of injuries to those on board the aircraft is not yet known.
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet. Bangor Airport stated in a release that rescue teams and emergency personnel responded around 7:45 p.m. Eastern Time, and the airport was temporarily closed following the incident.
The FAA said it will work with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.
The crash occurred amid a large snowstorm moving across several areas in the northeastern U.S. Maine experienced below-freezing temperatures with light snowfall that significantly reduced flight visibility.
Federal records show the aircraft was registered to a limited company based in Houston, Texas.
Meanwhile, a recording of communications between air traffic control and the pilot from LiveATC.net was released. The audio, captured minutes before the accident, included discussions about low visibility and aircraft deicing procedures, though it is unclear which parties were involved in the conversation.
In the recording, air traffic control cleared the pilot for takeoff from Bangor Airport's Runway 33. Nearly two minutes later, a controller shouted over the radio, "All air traffic stop immediately! All traffic stop!"
Shortly after, another controller reported, "There is an overturned aircraft at the airport."
Following the incident, the airport closed the area and allowed emergency vehicles onto the tarmac. Air traffic control later confirmed there were three crew members and about five passengers on board.
No further details about the cause of the crash or the condition of those on board have been released. U.S. authorities are conducting an official investigation.
:CNN
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