Maine Plane Crash: Investigators Probe If Ice On Wings Caused Deadly Accident During Takeoff

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 01:09 IST

The probe follows severe winter storms in the US and a history of icing issues linked to the aircraft model.

This image taken from video provided by WABI television, emergency services work on a scene of the Bombardier Challenger 600 crash at the Bangor Airport in Maine. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

US aviation safety investigators have begun probing a fatal plane crash at a Maine airport, with early attention likely to focus on whether ice accumulation on the aircraft’s wings played a role.

The Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States, arrived on Tuesday at Bangor Airport, where a business jet crashed during takeoff, killing all six people on board.

The Paris-bound Bombardier Challenger 600 flipped over and caught fire shortly after attempting to take off on Sunday evening, around 7.45 pm, as a major winter storm was moving into the region. Investigators said it was too early to determine whether weather conditions or cold temperatures contributed to the crash.

A statement issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday said the aircraft “crashed under unknown circumstances on departure, came to rest inverted and caught on fire". The six victims included four passengers and two crew members.

Aviation experts said the NTSB is likely to closely examine whether ice had accumulated on the aircraft’s wings, which can prevent a plane from generating enough lift during takeoff. Similar concerns have been raised in at least two previous fatal crashes involving the same aircraft model.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 has a documented history of icing-related incidents during takeoff, including crashes in Birmingham in the United Kingdom and Montrose in the US state of Colorado more than two decades ago, according to aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator.

“Even a small amount of ice on the wings can cause serious problems," Guzzetti said, adding that aircraft require careful inspection and de-icing before takeoff, particularly in freezing conditions. De-icing fluids are effective only for a limited time, sometimes as little as 20 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Maine said it was working with law enforcement to confirm the identities of those killed. Lakewood Church in Houston confirmed that one of the victims was Shawna Collins, a 53-year-old event planner who worked for Joel Osteen Ministries.

A relative of the pilot identified him as Jacob Hosmer, 47, a licensed flight instructor and the managing member of Platinum Skies Aviation LLC, according to US media reports.

The aircraft was owned by a company linked to a Houston-based law firm, which has declined to comment or identify the passengers.

Bangor Airport, located about 200 miles north of Boston, is frequently used by private jets flying to Europe because of its proximity to transatlantic routes. The NTSB said it expects to provide an update on the investigation on Wednesday. A preliminary report is likely to be released within a month, while a final report could take more than a year.

History of icing problems with these planes

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-bodied business jet configured for nine to 11 passengers. It was launched in 1980 as the first private jet with a “walk-about cabin" and remains a popular charter option, according to aircharterservice.com.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 model “has a history of problems with icing on takeoff" that caused previous deadly crashes in Birmingham, England; and Montrose, Colorado, more than 20 years ago, aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti said while speaking to the Associated Press.

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