PORTLAND, Maine — A private jet traveling from Houston that crashed in Maine in January, killing all six people on board, remained on the ground longer than recommended after deicing during a snowstorm, according to a preliminary report released Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The agency said the aircraft waited 17 minutes before takeoff after the deicing process began—well beyond the nine-minute maximum holdover time recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration for those weather conditions. The extended delay may have allowed ice or snow to accumulate again on the aircraft’s wings.
According to cockpit voice recordings, the pilot commented that waiting 14 to 18 minutes after deicing was “standard,” adding that they would return for another treatment if the delay exceeded 30 minutes. Aviation safety consultant John Cox said the remark raises questions about whether the crew properly calculated the allowable time before takeoff.
The jet, a Bombardier Challenger 600, crashed shortly after takeoff from Bangor International Airport on Jan. 25 while en route to France. Investigators say the aircraft lost control immediately after liftoff, with an aerodynamic stall warning and a sudden right bank before impact.
Former NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti said the early findings strongly suggest ice contamination on the right wing contributed to the crash. The aircraft had stopped in Bangor to refuel during the trip from Houston to Europe amid light snowfall, freezing temperatures, and worsening storm conditions.
All six people on board were killed, including Houston attorney Tara Arnold, three employees from her luxury travel company, and two pilots.
The NTSB emphasized that the report is preliminary, and the official cause of the crash will not be determined until the final investigation report, expected sometime next year.
The agency will continue examining factors such as crew training for cold-weather operations, airport deicing procedures, and the effectiveness of the chemicals used to prevent ice buildup.
