A jet carrying eight people has crashed seconds after taking off in the US.
Last night (25 January), a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet crashed while taking off from an airport in the US state of Maine, at around 7.45pm local time. After crashing onto the runway, the aircraft is understood to have caught fire, with images taken from the scene showing the jet's landing gear facing upwards.
The crash has left Bangor International Airport closed as emergency crews rushed to the scene. A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that seven out of the eight passengers and crew onboard died in the crash.
The eighth person, understood to be a crew member, is said to be in a serious condition.
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It's believed the jet was registered to an LLC based in Houston, Texas.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the crash.
Little more is known about what caused the crash, as Bangor airport director Jose Saavedra told reporters during a news conference that 'a team of investigators' would be arriving on site at some point today.
Saavedra also declined to provide any further details about the condition of those onboard, following the FAA report that only one crew member had survived the deadly crash. He also declined to confirm details about reported fatalities.
"It's an ongoing investigation and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) are taking over," he told reporters.
Chilling 'final message' heard on cockpit radio before crash
While few details are known about the doomed jet's final moments, an eerie voice recording obtained by MailOnline has revealed the strange comment made minutes before the plane crashed.
"Let there be light," a voice can be heard saying on the radio moments before the crash.
It's currently unclear whether or not this was spoken by the aircraft's pilot or air-traffic control, and the context about what they're talking about hasn't been confirmed.
The deadly crash comes as the US is facing freezing winter temperatures, as Winter Storm Fern batters the country.
According to a report from The Guardian, over one million Americans are currently believed to be without power, while at least seven people have been killed.
Images from FAA have also revealed that Bangor Airport had been covered in snow on the night of the incident.
Meanwhile, audio shared by CNN revealed that pilots and air traffic controllers had been talking about low visibility prior to the jet's takeoff. The jet was cleared from takeoff, but all traffic halted moments later, after it crashed.
"All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field," one controller can be heard saying, while another added: "Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down," just minutes later.
Brenna Cooper