NEW AUDIO RELEASED — A haunting recording tied to the private jet crash at Bangor International Airport during a massive snowstorm has surfaced online

The fatal crash of a private jet at Bangor International Airport in Maine on January 25, 2026, amid a massive winter snowstorm has drawn widespread attention, particularly due to chilling audio recordings from air traffic control and reports of cockpit communications captured in the moments leading up to the tragedy.

The incident involved a Bombardier Challenger 600 (registration N10KJ), a wide-bodied business jet configured for 9–11 passengers. The plane had arrived from Houston, Texas (Hobby Airport), landing at Bangor around 6:09 p.m. local time. After sitting on the ground for over an hour in accumulating snow and sub-freezing temperatures (around 1–2°F with windchill near -13°F), it attempted takeoff shortly after 7:45 p.m. en route to Paris-Vatry Airport in France.

The jet crashed during departure under unknown circumstances, coming to rest inverted (upside down) on or near the runway, where it caught fire. The aircraft experienced a post-crash blaze, complicating immediate response efforts.

Casualties and Initial Discrepancies

Early reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated eight people on board, with seven fatalities and one seriously injured crew member (likely a pilot). However, Bangor International Airport and local police later clarified via the flight manifest that there were six people aboard — all presumed deceased, with no one transported to a hospital. Identities have not been fully released publicly pending confirmation, though some media outlets named victims including attorney Tara Arnold, event planner Shawna Collins, and pilot Jacob Hosmer. One crew member was initially reported as surviving with serious injuries in some accounts, but this appears contradicted by the airport’s updated statement.

Emergency responders, including the Maine Air National Guard and firefighters from multiple municipalities, arrived within a minute. The airport shut down immediately and remained closed for days as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched its investigation.

The Audio Recordings: What Was Captured

Audio from LiveATC.net and other sources has circulated widely, providing a haunting glimpse into the final minutes.

• Air traffic control communications: Minutes before the crash, discussions between controllers and pilots (not always clearly attributable to the crashed jet) focused on poor visibility, de-icing procedures, and weather conditions. A controller cleared the pilot for takeoff on Runway 33. The plane had taxied to the de-icing pad earlier, remaining there for about 20 minutes before proceeding to the runway.
• Post-crash ATC call: About 45 seconds after takeoff clearance, a voice on the recording — believed to be from a controller or observer — urgently reported: “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.” This aligned with eyewitness and video evidence of the inverted wreckage.
• Cockpit/radio snippet: Some outlets, including the Daily Mail, reported hearing a voice (possibly from the cockpit or ATC) saying “Let there be light” shortly before impact. Speculation suggested this referred to runway lights being activated on the previously dark Runway 33, illuminating the scene amid heavy snow and low visibility. The exact context and speaker remain unclear.

A separate doorbell camera video from a home in nearby Glenburn (over 8 miles away) captured a loud boom at the moment of impact, though it did not show the plane itself.

These recordings, available on platforms like LiveATC.net and discussed in aviation analysis videos (e.g., on YouTube channels covering the incident), underscore the suddenness of the event. No mayday call from the pilots was prominently reported in initial coverage.

Potential Causes Under Investigation

The NTSB’s probe centers on three key areas: the pilots, the aircraft, and the operating environment.

• Icing and de-icing: The Bombardier Challenger 600 has a documented history of crashes linked to wing icing during takeoff, including incidents in Birmingham, England (1980s), and Montrose, Colorado (early 2000s). Even minor ice buildup can destroy lift. The plane sat exposed to snow for over an hour, potentially allowing rapid accumulation, especially if cold fuel was added. De-icing was underway at the airport, but it’s unclear if this jet received full treatment or if holdover times were exceeded in the worsening storm.
• Weather factors: A massive winter storm battered much of the U.S., including New England, with Bangor seeing 6–10 inches of snow accumulation (heavier elsewhere). Visibility diminished rapidly, though other planes operated safely around the time. Winds were light (northeast at ~10 mph), but combined with snow and low temperatures, conditions were hazardous.
• Other elements: The jet’s recent flight from Houston and brief ground time raise questions about pre-flight inspections, fuel state, and crew fatigue or decision-making in marginal weather.

Aviation experts note that de-icing effectiveness lasts only about 20 minutes in active precipitation, and the Challenger series requires meticulous anti-icing protocols.

Broader Context

This ranks among Maine’s deadliest aviation incidents in recent decades. The crash occurred as the Northeast endured one of its fiercest winter storms, prompting travel warnings and airport disruptions far beyond Bangor.

As the NTSB continues its work — delayed slightly by ongoing snow — the audio serves as a stark reminder of how quickly routine operations can turn catastrophic in extreme weather. Final reports, including cockpit voice recorder (if recoverable) and flight data analysis, will take months, but the recordings already paint a picture of a night where visibility, ice, and fate converged tragically.