6 killed after business jet crashes at Maine airport

Bangor private jet crashes carrying 8 people

A plane that crashed at Bangor International Airport left 7 people dead and one other person hurt. The jet crash happened in Maine. 

Federal Aviation Administration officials said six people were killed when a private business jet crashed in a snowstorm at Maine’s Bangor International Airport.

Earlier in the day, the Federal Aviation Administration said seven people died and one member of the crew survived, but a spokesman said those numbers were preliminary and subject to change. The airport said no one was taken to a hospital.

A plane that crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine Sunday left six people dead.

Editor's note: A previous version of the story included a file photo depicting an aircraft and airline that was not involved in the crash.

Experts say the weather and questions about whether ice accumulating on the wings kept the plane from getting airborne — as has happened at least twice before on that plane model — will likely be an initial focus by the National Transportation Safety Board. However, the agency will consider all possible factors.

"You can count on the fact that NTSB is going to look very closely at this," said John Cox, who is CEO of Safety Operating Systems.

An audio recording of air traffic controllers includes someone saying "Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down,"about 45 seconds after a plane was cleared for takeoff. First responders arrived less than a minute later, airport director Jose Saavedra told the Associated Press.

Maine private jet crash

What we know:

The Federal Aviation Administration told the Associated Press that the Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed around 7:45 p.m. Sunday.

RELATED: Winter storm cancels 30% of all US flights: What to know

What we don't know:

The NTSB told the Associated Press that it has no role in the release of information about victims and that such information is managed by local authorities. However, airport director Jose Saavedra refused to comment, saying at a news conference Monday that he was "awaiting guidance and support from federal partners."

Airport statement on the crash

What they're saying:

Bangor International Airport issued a statement, obtained by the Associated Press, saying that emergency crews were on the scene at the airport, which was closed after what it described as an incident involving a single aircraft departing the airport.

According to the AP, the Maine airport offers direct flights to cities like Orlando, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, North Carolina, and is located roughly 200 miles north of Boston.