Victims’ Remains & Wreckage Have Been Moved To Secure Location As Bangor International Airport Opens Back Up Again

With the mid-week arrival of a team from the FAA and the NTSB to Eastern Maine, the scene of Sunday evening's deadly plane crash on runway 33 of Bangor International Airport was finally able to be processed, and the victims' remains were moved to a secure location so they could be dealt with appropriately.

And with the scene of the crash cleared from the runway, the airport was able to reopen after 4 days of being closed.

Read More: Bangor Airport Crash: Weather Impacts Investigation Efforts

Travelers who have either been stranded in Maine since the airport closed Sunday evening, or who have been trying to get back into the state, got the green light to start making new arrangements with the airlines.

According to airport officials, the last 24 hours were crucial to advancing the investigation. But there's still a lot investigators are looking into.

"Overnight, the aircraft was relocated to a secure location where the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will continue its investigation...The NTSB family liaison remains on site and will continue to assist the victim’s families as they navigate this difficult time."

"Once the aircraft was relocated, airport crews continued working overnight to plow all taxiways and Runway 15-33. They also prepare all gate areas for air carrier operations.
Airport personnel also inspected ground support equipment to ensure safe and proper operations ahead of reopening. "

Read More: A Look Back At Maine's Deadliest Plane Crashes In History

The Bombardier CL-600-2B16 jet bound for Paris flipped over and caught fire as it tried to take off, as a major snowstorm made its way through Maine.

Authorities say all six people on board, 4 passengers and 2 crew members, died in the crash. The Medical Examiner's Office is attempting to identify all the remains.

The aircraft was registered to a Houston law firm, co-founded by 46-year-old Tara Arnold, who is believed to have been one of the passengers on board the plane at the time of the crash.

News outlets in Houston have ascertained through interviews with family and friends that 3 of the other individuals who died were part of a luxury travel company, "Beyond" that was started by Tara Arnold and her husband Kurt.

Houston event planner, Shawna Collins, 34-year-old wine expert Shelby Kuyawa, and well-known chef Nick Mastrascusa also perished in the incident, along with the plane's Captain, 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer, a Houston-area pilot.

The remaining crew member has yet to be identified.

Bangor International Airport Director Jose Saavedra says the NTSB investigators will be looking into three aspects of the flight: the Pilot, the state of the aircraft, and the operating environment, as they gather information from all available sources.

While the initial report by the federal investigators could be ready within 30 days, it could take up to a year or two for them to release their final verdict and officially determine the cause of the crash.

Flights in and out of Bangor International Airport resumed at noon Thursday. There's no word yet on what kind of effect the almost week-long closure will have on airport operations or revenue.

Officials advise travelers who were impacted by the shutdown of the airport to get in touch with the airlines directly to make travel arrangements this week.

Airport officials also reiterated that counseling services are available for all airport employees and first responders who have been working the scene, standing guard over the passenger remains, and who helped with the cleanup.