BANGOR (Azat TV) – A private jet carrying eight people crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine on the evening of January 25, 2026, amid a severe winter storm that brought heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the region. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, which has prompted an immediate investigation by federal and local authorities and led to the closure of the airport.
The Incident Unfolds at Bangor International
The crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, January 25, as a Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft was attempting to depart from the airport. Eight individuals were on board the jet, identified by authorities as six passengers and two crew members. The Bangor International Airport issued a statement shortly after 8:30 p.m. local time, confirming an “incident at the airport” and noting that first responders were on the scene.
Initial reports from a government official briefed on the incident, cited by Reuters, indicated a significant fire erupted after the crash. Air traffic control recordings, reviewed by CNN and FOX 26 Houston, captured controllers reacting to the emergency, with one stating, “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.” The airport was subsequently closed, leading to flight cancellations and a public advisory to avoid the area.
Investigation Underway Amid Harsh Weather
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash. Maine State Police are assisting local authorities in securing the scene, which was expected to remain active for several hours following the incident. As of early Monday, January 26, no details regarding the conditions or identities of the occupants had been released.
The crash occurred during a fierce winter storm that significantly impacted the Northeast. The National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for Bangor, Maine’s third-largest city, which remained in effect until early January 27. AccuWeather reported that snow from the dangerous storm had begun approximately two hours prior to the crash, with conditions rapidly intensifying and worsening.
Aircraft and Ownership Details Emerge
The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as a Bombardier Challenger 600, with the tail number N10KJ, according to FAA records and aviation-tracking website FlightRadar24. Data from FlightRadar24 indicated the jet had arrived in Bangor from Houston, Texas, and was attempting to depart less than two hours later when the incident occurred.
Federal records show that the plane, which entered service in April 2020, is registered to KTKJ Challenger, LLC. The address associated with this limited liability corporation in Houston is shared with Arnold & Itkin, a prominent personal injury law firm. This connection was noted by FOX 26 Houston and CNN, though no official statement from the firm regarding the crash or its association with the aircraft had been made publicly available.
Context of Winter Storm Conditions
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were extremely challenging. AccuWeather specified that visibility was severely reduced to three-fourths of a mile, with a low ceiling of 1,100 feet. Temperatures hovered around 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately -16 to -17 degrees Celsius), accompanied by sustained winds of about 5 to 10 mph from the northeast. The National Weather Service had explicitly warned that ‘severe winter weather conditions will make travel extremely dangerous’ during the storm.
The confluence of a major winter storm, characterized by heavy snow, frigid temperatures, and significantly reduced visibility, with the critical phase of aircraft takeoff, underscores the complex and high-stakes environment in which this incident occurred. The ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining what role, if any, these extreme weather conditions played in the crash, alongside any potential mechanical or operational factors.