Maine Plane Crash: Aircraft with Problematic History Involved in Fatal Incident
The recent plane crash in Maine has drawn significant attention due to its tragic outcome and the aircraft’s problematic history. The Bombardier Challenger 600, a model known for issues related to ice accumulation on its wings, was involved in the fatal incident. This event occurred on a snowy Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport.
Maine Plane Crash Overview
The crash took place around 7:45 p.m. local time. The Bombardier Challenger 600 was attempting to take off as a severe winter storm affected the region. Tragically, all six individuals aboard lost their lives. Initial reports from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that there might have been seven passengers, but these figures were later clarified.
Crash Details
- Date: Sunday evening
- Time: Approximately 7:45 p.m.
- Location: Bangor International Airport, Maine
- Casualties: Six fatalities; initial reports of seven were later corrected.
While heavy snow impacted other regions, Bangor had just begun to see accumulation, and other flights had been able to depart safely. Eyewitness accounts noted the aircraft flipped over shortly after takeoff, as announced in air traffic control recordings.
Aircraft History and Safety Concerns
The Bombardier Challenger 600 was first launched in 1980 by Canadair, which was later acquired by Bombardier. This aircraft model, designed for nine to 11 passengers, features a unique “walk-about cabin.” However, it has a known history of accidents due to icing issues during takeoff.
Experts, including aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, emphasized that even minimal ice accumulation can significantly affect an aircraft’s performance. Therefore, it is unclear if the necessary deicing procedures were completed prior to the flight.
Impact of Winter Storm
The crash coincided with a massive winter storm that affected a large portion of the eastern United States. Air travel was severely disrupted, resulting in over 12,000 flight cancellations and nearly 20,000 delays. Major airports across Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey were notably impacted.
Airport Information
Bangor International Airport, located about 320 kilometers north of Boston and 180 kilometers west of the New Brunswick border, provides service to various destinations, including Orlando, Florida; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, North Carolina.
This incident has raised questions about the safety regulations and deicing protocols for business jets, especially in adverse weather conditions.
