BANGOR, Maine (WGME) — Six people are dead after a private jet crashed during take-off at the Bangor International Airport on Sunday night.
The Federal Aviation Authority initially said eight were on board and seven died, but revised that to six on board who all died after speaking with first responders and local airport officials.
The jet, traveling from Houston to Paris, had landed in Bangor to refuel and crashed while attempting to take off again.
The plane is registered to Arnold & Itkin, a Texas-based personal injury law firm.
Officials have not yet identified all the victims, but Leslie Briones, a county commissioner in the Houston area, identified one of the victims as Tara Arnold during a news conference. Tara Arnold was the wife of Kurt Arnold, who founded the law firm.
Plane crashes during take-off at the Bangor International Airport with 6 on board (WABI via CNN Newsource)
Briones said she is a close friend of the couple and a former employee of the firm.
“She’s just a phenomenal person, a bold leader and someone who has or had a heart of service and my heart and my prayers are with Kurt and their children,” Briones said.
The Daily Mail, a UK newspaper, reports Tara Arnold and a group of her friends were traveling to Paris together, but that reporting has not been officially confirmed.
At this point, it is unknown if weather played a role in the crash, but numerous flights in the Northeast were canceled because of the nor’easter.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
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Bangor International Airport will remain closed until at least noon on Tuesday
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