Private Jet Carrying Eight People Crashes During Takeoff at Bangor International Airport
Bangor, Monday, 26 January 2026.
A private jet carrying eight crashed Sunday night in Bangor, Maine, amidst severe winter weather. Reports link the aircraft to prominent Texas legal donors as investigators probe the takeoff incident.
Incident Overview and Weather Conditions
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, January 25, 2026, as the twin-engine business jet attempted to depart Bangor International Airport [1][3]. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Bombardier Challenger 600 series jet carrying eight individuals [1][3]. While the specific conditions of the passengers remain unconfirmed, witnesses reported a “loud bang” echoed across the Greater Bangor area, and video footage from the scene depicted smoke rising from the runway where the aircraft reportedly came to rest upside down [2]. The crash unfolded amidst a severe winter storm that has disrupted travel across the Northeast; at the time of the accident, temperatures hovered around 2 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of minus 13, accompanied by light snow and visibility reduced to approximately 1.2 kilometers [3][6]. The National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for the area, underscoring the hazardous operational environment [3].
Ties to High-Stakes Litigation and Texas Donors
While aviation authorities focus on the mechanics of the crash, the aircraft’s registration has drawn attention to significant players in the legal and business sectors. The jet, which arrived in Maine from Houston, Texas, is registered to a corporation linked to the prominent Houston-based law firm Arnold & Itkin [4][5]. The firm is a heavyweight in the legal industry, having secured over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements since its founding [4]. Furthermore, partners Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin are noted for their substantial financial contributions to Texas Athletics, with their family foundations collectively pledging $40 million to support the program [4]. It remains unclear [alert! ‘passenger manifest not publicly released’] whether the partners were among the eight people on board the aircraft at the time of the incident [4]. One source identified the specific airframe involved as a Bombardier Challenger 650, a variant of the series mentioned by the FAA, though this specific model designation has not been universally confirmed across all reports [4].
Operational Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The crash has precipitated immediate logistical challenges for Bangor International Airport. Following the incident, the runway was closed at 8:25 p.m., with a full airport closure implemented by 10:30 p.m. on Sunday to facilitate emergency response efforts [2]. This disruption led to cancellations, including a scheduled Breeze Airways flight to Orlando, contributing to a broader pattern of aviation interruptions that saw more than 11,000 flights canceled within, into, or out of the U.S. on Sunday due to the prevailing weather systems [1][2]. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash, with Maine State Police assisting at the scene [5]. As of Monday morning, the airport advised the public to avoid the area while first responders continued to assess the situation [3].