NTSB Investigates Fatal Maine Plane Crash

Six killed as business jet flips, burns on takeoff at Bangor airport

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:07pm

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The National Transportation Safety Board has arrived in Maine to investigate a deadly plane crash that occurred on Sunday night at Bangor International Airport. A business jet bound for Paris flipped over and caught fire during takeoff, killing all six people on board. Investigators will focus on whether weather conditions and potential ice accumulation on the wings played a role in the accident.

Why it matters

Plane crashes are always tragic events that raise concerns about air travel safety. This incident at a regional airport in Maine highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight inspections and de-icing procedures, especially during severe winter weather conditions that can impact aircraft performance and stability.

The details

The Bombardier Challenger 600 business jet was taking off for Paris when it flipped over and burned on the runway around 7:45 pm on Sunday. The six victims included four passengers and two crew members. Experts say the NTSB will likely investigate whether ice buildup on the wings prevented the plane from getting airborne, as has happened in previous crashes of this model. Weather conditions at the time, including the start of a major winter storm, will also be a focus of the investigation.

  • The crash occurred around 7:45 pm on Sunday, January 26, 2026.
  • The NTSB arrived on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 to begin their investigation.

The players

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The U.S. federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents and issuing safety recommendations.

Bombardier Challenger 600

A wide-body business jet that has a history of issues with ice buildup on the wings during takeoff, which has contributed to previous crashes.

Bangor International Airport

A regional airport in Maine that is often used by private jets flying to and from Europe, located about 200 miles north of Boston.

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What they’re saying

“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 and former federal crash investigator

What’s next

The NTSB says 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 as the full investigation is completed.

The takeaway

This tragic crash underscores the critical importance of thorough pre-flight inspections and de-icing procedures, especially when severe winter weather conditions could impact aircraft performance. The NTSB investigation will aim to determine the exact cause in order to improve aviation safety and prevent similar accidents in the future.