Bangor Plane Crash: ATC Audio Reveals Visibility, De-ice Plan, and Airport Closure

Pre-Crash Conditions and De-icing

• ✈️ Pilots discussed a plan to taxi back for de-icing after an initial spray, aiming to try again.
• ⚠️ Concerns were raised about visibility dropping significantly near the runway end, with one pilot calling the conditions "stupid."
• ❄️ The tower provided a weather update: light snow, visibility at 3/4 mile, and Runway Visual Range (RVR) of 6,000+.

Visibility and RVR Discussions

• 📏 Pilots inquired about visibility limits, with one stating a need for a takeoff alternate if visibility was less than a mile.
• 📊 The current RVR was reported as touchdown at more than 6,000, midpoint at 5,000, and rollout at 5,500, with plans to increase runway light intensity.
• 🤝 A pilot-to-pilot exchange confirmed that conditions near the runway end were poor, impacting their decision to fly.

Airport Closure and Crash Response

• 🛑 The tower announced that all traffic was stopped and the airport was closed.
• 💥 Radio traffic indicated an aircraft was upside down, confirming a crash.
• 🚑 Early crash response involved discussions about an initial onboard count, with estimates of three crew and possibly five passengers.
• 🚧 Airport command coordinated the movement of crash vehicles on the airfield, which was closed for the foreseeable future.

Post-Crash Assessment

• 📝 The tower confirmed that airfield braking action assessment had been completed.
• ❓ Airport command sought to confirm the total number of souls on board from the FBO.