NTSB Preliminary Report Reveals Critical Timing Error in Fatal Accident

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed light on the probable cause of a fatal Bombardier Challenger 650 crash on January 25, 2026, at Bangor International Airport in Maine. The aircraft, which was headed to France, appears to have departed after exceeding the maximum holdover time for its anti-ice treatment, resulting in the loss of six lives. The NTSB report highlights a critical timing error, with the aircraft taking off roughly 16 minutes after the start of the Type IV anti-ice application, well beyond the recommended nine-minute maximum holdover time. This incident was first reported by AeroTime.