A Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in the northeastern U.S. state of Maine on Sunday evening, prompting a major emergency response and temporary closure of the facility.
The Chenab Times has learned that the incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. local time as the aircraft, registered as N10KJ and owned by a Texas-based law firm, attempted to depart following an arrival from Houston, Texas. According to details received by The Chenab Times from multiple sources including aviation tracking data and witness accounts, the jet reached speeds of approximately 175 miles per hour before veering off the runway, overturning, and coming to rest. Emergency services, including fire crews, rushed to the scene amid reports of fire and possible explosion. The airport runway was immediately closed, halting all operations.
Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft carried eight people on board. Details on injuries or fatalities remain unconfirmed by official authorities, though some social media posts and early media dispatches have circulated unverified claims of serious outcomes. Bangor International Airport officials stated that first responders were assessing the situation and that an investigation was underway. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is expected to lead the formal probe into the cause, which could involve factors such as weather conditions—light snow and low visibility were reported in the area—or mechanical issues.
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a long-range business jet model commonly used for private and corporate travel, known for its twin-engine design and capacity to carry up to 12 passengers. Bangor International Airport, located in Bangor, Maine—about 130 miles northeast of Portland and serving as a regional hub—handles both commercial and general aviation traffic. The facility occasionally accommodates private jets transiting between major U.S. cities or heading overseas.
Witnesses described seeing the jet accelerate down the runway before it abruptly stopped and overturned. Videos and photographs circulating online showed emergency vehicles surrounding the wreckage, with thick smoke visible in some images. Aviation tracking services confirmed the aircraft’s recent flight path from Texas, highlighting its positioning for departure at the time of the incident.
No official statement has yet been released regarding the identities of those on board or the precise sequence of events leading to the crash. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the airport area while operations remain suspended. Updates are anticipated as investigators examine flight data recorders, if recoverable, and interview witnesses.
(Inputs from various reports)
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