6 presumed dead in business jet crash in Maine

Six people are presumed dead after a business jet crashed while departing Bangor International Airport in Maine, airport officials said. The update came as conflicting reports emerged from federal authorities about the number of people on board and casualties.

Bangor International Airport said multiple emergency crews responded to an aircraft accident at about 7:45 p.m. Sunday involving a single aircraft departing the airport. The airport said the aircraft, identified as a Bombardier CL600, had six people on board according to the flight manifest.

“No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased,” the airport said. The identities of those on board are being withheld pending identification.

Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a report that seven passengers were killed and that one crew member suffered serious injuries. The report listed only one crew member.

CNN later reported that the FAA said it is deferring to the airport regarding the number of people on board.

“When an accident such as this occurs, there are numerous agencies and assets, both state and federal, that must coordinate their respective portions of the investigation,” the airport said. “It is important that we don’t release any information until all parties have completed their work and can confirm the information being released.”

The aircraft is owned by Arnold & Itkin LLP, a Houston-based law firm, according to flight records. The FAA report said the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances during departure, came to rest inverted and caught fire.