At Maine Airport, Private Jet Carrying Eight Crashes and Bursts into Flames at Bangor International
BANGOR, Maine — January 26, 2026
A twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 600 (some reports identifying it as a 650 model) carrying eight people crashed and was consumed by a “significant fire” during a takeoff attempt at Bangor International Airport (BGR) on Sunday night.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time, just as a massive winter storm system, characterized by sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, began to peak across the Northeastern United States.
Key Details of the Incident
- The Aircraft: The jet, registered as N10KJ, is operated by KTKJ Challenger LLC. Ownership records link the aircraft to a Houston-based address shared with the personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin. The plane had reportedly arrived in Maine from Texas earlier that day.
- The Scene: Air traffic control audio captured the moment a controller alerted all ground traffic that a “passenger aircraft is upside down” on the field. Images from the scene showed thick smoke and flames rising from the runway area.
- Current Status: As of Monday afternoon, the identities and conditions of the three crew members and five passengers have not been released. Authorities are coordinating with families before making a public statement regarding survivors or fatalities.
Weather: A Lethal Factor?
While the FAA and NTSB have not yet officially cited weather as the primary cause, the environmental conditions at the time of the crash were extreme:
- Visibility: Reports from the tower and meteorologists indicated visibility was reduced to approximately 3/4 of a mile due to light-to-steady snowfall.
- Temperature: At the time of the incident, the temperature in Bangor was recorded at a frigid 2°F (-17°C).
- Regional Chaos: The crash happened during “Winter Storm Fern,” which has forced the cancellation of over 11,000 flights across the U.S. and left hundreds of thousands without power in the South and Mid-Atlantic.
Airport Operations
Bangor International Airport was immediately closed following the crash to allow emergency crews to respond. While the airport has since attempted to manage rerouted traffic, the main runway remains a focal point for NTSB investigators. Travelers are urged to avoid the airport area and check with their airlines for ongoing delays.
The Investigation Ahead
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the recovery and technical analysis. Key areas of the probe will include:
- De-icing Records: Whether the aircraft was properly treated for ice and snow prior to the takeoff roll.
- Runway Conditions: The state of the tarmac and whether braking or steering was compromised by accumulated slush.
- Mechanical Performance: Analysis of engine data and flight controls to determine if the “upside down” position was the result of a mechanical failure or an aerodynamic stall.
“The weather is challenging, and it will continue to be a challenge for our investigators on the ground,” said a spokesperson for the local authorities.
