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Six dead in Bangor private jet crash
NTSB investigating after Bombardier Challenger 600 flips, burns on takeoff
Jan. 27, 2026 at 1:23pm
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A business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night, killing all six people on board. The Paris-bound Bombardier Challenger 600 flipped over and burned as the nation's winter storm was beginning to reach the area. The National Transportation Safety Board has arrived to investigate, with weather conditions and potential ice buildup on the wings likely to be an initial focus.
Why it matters
The Bombardier Challenger 600 model has a history of issues with icing on takeoff, leading to previous deadly crashes. Careful inspections and de-icing are crucial before takeoff, but the effectiveness of de-icing can be limited. This crash raises questions about aviation safety protocols, especially in challenging weather conditions.
The details
The FAA said the six victims included four passengers and two crew members. The plane crashed under unknown circumstances on departure, coming to rest inverted and catching fire. Investigators will look at all possible factors, including weather conditions and whether ice accumulation on the wings prevented the plane from getting airborne, as has happened before with this model.
- The crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2026.
- The NTSB arrived on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 to begin their investigation.
The players
Bombardier Challenger 600
A wide-bodied business jet configured for 9 to 11 passengers, launched in 1980 as the first private jet with a 'walk-about cabin' and remains a popular charter option.
Shawna Collins
A 53-year-old employee at Lakewood Church in Houston who oversaw the customer service department and was known for her event planning skills.
Jacob Hosmer
The 47-year-old pilot of the plane, who was a licensed flight instructor and the managing member of Platinum Skies Aviation LLC.
What they’re saying
“She oversaw our customer service department. Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality.”
— Donald Iloff Jr., Lakewood Church spokesperson
“Given the weather conditions at the time, and the history of wind contamination with this particular aircraft, I'm sure that's something the NTSB is going to look into immediately. If there was any kind of precipitation at all, freezing precipitation, they would have needed to clean off those wings before they took off.”
— Jeff Guzzetti, Aviation safety consultant
What’s next
The NTSB said they would have an update on the investigation on Wednesday, January 29, 2026. A preliminary report outlining the facts of the crash should be released in about a month, but the final version likely won't be published for more than a year.
The takeaway
This tragic crash highlights the importance of strict aviation safety protocols, especially when it comes to inspecting and de-icing planes before takeoff in challenging weather conditions. The history of icing issues with the Bombardier Challenger 600 model will be a key focus of the NTSB investigation as they work to determine the cause and prevent similar accidents in the future.
