A private jet crash at Bangor International Airport in Maine took a haunting turn as audio from the cockpit revealed a voice saying, “Let there be light,” just moments before the accident.
The Bombardier Challenger 650, carrying eight people, went down during takeoff Sunday evening around 7:45 p.m. amid heavy snow.
Dramatic Wreckage on the Runway
Dramatic footage captured the aftermath, showing the aircraft flipped upside-down on the runway, smoke rising from the wreckage.
It remains uncertain whether anyone on board survived the crash.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane lift off briefly before plummeting back down and exploding, leaving behind a scene of total destruction.
The Mysterious Words
The cockpit recording, obtained by the Daily Mail, included the cryptic line, “let there be light.”
It’s still unclear whether it was spoken by one of the pilots or an air-traffic controller, or even what the statement referred to.
Some speculate the comment was about the runway lights coming on at Bangor’s Runway 33, illuminating the previously dark runway.
Chaotic Radio Chatter
Other recordings captured the tense moments before the crash, with pilots and controllers discussing low visibility due to the winter storm and the need to remove ice from the plane before departure.
Less than two minutes after being cleared for takeoff, an urgent alert went out: “All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field!”
Soon after, another controller confirmed: “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.”
Freezing Conditions and Travel Disruptions
The crash occurred in brutally cold conditions—just 1°F—with six to eight inches of snow covering the area.
Winter Storm Fern has caused widespread travel chaos across the U.S., canceling over 11,000 flights and forcing a winter storm warning in Maine from 7 p.m. Sunday until 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Forecasters described the storm as catastrophic, with heavy snow and ice affecting 34 states and at least 24 declaring a state of emergency.
Flight Details and Investigation
Aviation records show the jet is registered to a Houston law firm and was reportedly headed to Paris, having stopped in Maine to refuel for the nighttime journey across the Atlantic.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash, and an update on the condition of those aboard is expected at 10 a.m. ET.
What Happened Next
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, videos from a nearby doorcam captured the loud bang of the impact.
Snow-covered runways, freezing temperatures, and low visibility all played a role in the tense and tragic scenario that unfolded at Bangor International Airport.
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