A business jet registered to a Houston company flipped over and caught fire while attempting to take off during a snowstorm at Bangor International Airport in Maine, federal authorities said.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 was carrying eight people when it crashed on the airfield around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. Officials did not immediately release information on the condition of those on board.
Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft is registered to a corporation that shares the same Houston address as Arnold & Itkin LLP, a prominent personal injury law firm. The firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday morning.
Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the incident. The NTSB said initial information indicates the aircraft went down during departure and caught fire after the crash. Officials said no additional details would be released until investigators arrive at the scene in the coming days.
Air traffic control audio recordings captured a controller reporting that the aircraft was upside down roughly 45 seconds after it had been cleared for takeoff.
Bangor International Airport, located about 200 miles north of Boston, was closed shortly after the crash and remained shut Monday. The airport typically offers direct service to destinations including Orlando, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte.
The crash occurred as a powerful winter storm swept across New England and large portions of the United States. Bangor experienced steady snowfall throughout Sunday, creating hazardous conditions at the airport.
The same storm system disrupted travel across much of the eastern half of the country, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain that slowed road traffic and caused widespread power outages, particularly in parts of the Southeast.
Air travel was significantly affected nationwide. Roughly 12,000 flights were canceled Sunday, while nearly 20,000 others were delayed, according to flight tracking data. Major disruptions were reported at airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-body business jet typically configured to carry nine to 11 passengers. Introduced in 1980, it became known as the first private jet designed with a walk-around cabin and remains a commonly used aircraft for charter operations.
Investigators continue to assess weather conditions, aircraft performance, and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.
