Pilot identified as first victim of plane crash that killed six seconds after takeoff
The first victim of the plane crash which took place at Bangor International Airport on Sunday (25 January), has been revealed.
A Bombardier Challenger 600 business jet was attempting to take off in the US state of Maine, before it crashed on the runway in the midst of a brutal snowstorm sweeping across the east of the country.
It was reported that seven people had died and one other was left seriously injured, though the airport clarified on Monday afternoon that the flight manifest detailed that there were six people on board, all of whom died.
The crash occurred at around 7.45pm on Sunday night, with the aircraft flipping over and bursting into flames, with images at the scene revealing that the jet's landing gear was left facing upwards.
Advert
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with little still known about the cause of the crash, as both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continue to investigate.
Bangor airport director Jose Saavedra didn't provide further details to reporters during a news conference, stated that it was 'an ongoing investigation', failing to confirm details about fatalities prior to the airport's update yesterday.
The private business jet is believed to an LLC based in Houston, Texas.
It has been revealed that 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer, a Houston-area pilot, was the captain of the flight and sadly died in the wreckage.
Hosmer's father, Gary, confirmed that his son had passed away, telling Click2Houston: "He’s in Heaven now with Jesus."
An anonymous friend of the late pilot, said he was his aviation specialist and knew him for 15 years, adding: "I would describe him as a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father.
"He was always kind. He was always laughing."
It's stated on Hosmer's LinkedIn profile that he has been employed by Houston-based injury law firm Arnold and Itkin LLP since May 2025.
Officials stated that the identities of others onboard won't be released publicly until they can be verified.
The airport, which is located about 200 miles north of Boston, was shut following the crash and will remain closed until at least Wednesday.
It is one of the closest airports in the US to Europe, and it is often used to refuel private jets before flying overseas.
Maine was hit with freezing rain and snow caused by Winter Storm Fern, with almost 40 states have been issued cold warnings.
Images from FAA revealed that the airport was covered in snow on the night of the incident.
Voice recordings obtained by MailOnline revealed that an eerie comment was made minutes before the aircraft crashed, as a voice can be heard saying: "Let there be light."
It is unknown if this was said by the aircraft's pilot or air traffic control, with the context of these words still unconfirmed.
Audio shared by CNN revealed that pilots and air traffic controllers discussed low visibility before the jet's takeoff, before one controller can be heard saying: "All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field."
"Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down," another said moments later.
A preliminary report detailing facts of the crash should be released in around a month, with a final report explaining the cause only expected in over a year's time.
Joshua Nair