Jet Crash Horror: 6 Dead in Maine Storm

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A business jet registered to a prominent Houston law firm crashed during takeoff in Maine on January 25, 2026, killing all six people aboard.

Story Snapshot

Bombardier Challenger 650 jet owned by Houston personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport, killing all six aboard
Aircraft sat in snow for over an hour before attempting takeoff in near-zero visibility and 2-degree temperatures during severe winter storm
Bombardier Challenger 600 model has documented history of icing-related incidents, raising questions about takeoff decision-making
NTSB investigating whether inadequate deicing procedures contributed to crash that occurred 1,760 meters past runway threshold

Deadly Crash Claims Six Lives During Winter Storm

A Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet registered to Arnold & Itkin law firm crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening, January 25, 2026. All six people aboard the aircraft perished when the jet veered right approximately 1,760 meters past the runway threshold and caught fire. First responders from the Maine National Guard and Bangor Fire Department arrived in under one minute, but severe conditions and the post-crash fire left no survivors. The identities of those killed remain unreleased pending positive identification by local authorities.

Severe Weather Conditions Raise Safety Questions

The crash occurred during a massive winter storm that ultimately killed at least 20 people across multiple states. At the time of the 6:44 p.m. takeoff attempt, temperatures hovered near 2 degrees Fahrenheit with visibility limited to less than three-quarters of a mile. Snow was actively falling, and the aircraft had been sitting outside in these conditions for over an hour after landing from Houston at 6:09 p.m. The plane underwent deicing operations for 19 minutes before attempting takeoff, a timeline that aviation experts suggest may indicate rushed decision-making under time pressure.

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Aircraft Icing History Emerges as Critical Factor

Aviation safety analysts have noted the Bombardier Challenger 600 series has a documented history of icing-related problems, making the decision to take off in such severe conditions particularly troubling. The National Transportation Safety Board has previously cited aircraft icing as a contributing factor in crashes, especially when cold jet fuel stored in wing tanks is used during refueling in freezing temperatures. Ice accumulation on aircraft wings can occur rapidly when planes sit in snow, creating dangerous aerodynamic disruptions. This raises fundamental questions about whether proper safety protocols were followed or whether operational pressures overrode sound judgment.

Air traffic control audio captured the moment controllers reported “Aircraft upside down,” underscoring the catastrophic nature of the crash. The NTSB has taken over the investigation and is examining whether weather conditions, icing accumulation, or inadequate deicing procedures played a role. Bangor International Airport remained closed until at least noon on Wednesday, January 27, disrupting operations across a region serving approximately 200 miles of northeastern Maine. While Arnold & Itkin is confirmed as a personal injury law firm, the identities and roles of those aboard have not been verified by authorities.

Several Dead After Business Jet Crashes in Maine With Possibly Two Prominent Anti-ICE Attorneys Onboard https://t.co/tX0jOmSDeF

— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) January 27, 2026

Federal Investigation Focuses on Decision-Making

The NTSB’s investigation will scrutinize the timeline of events, particularly the decision to attempt takeoff after minimal time on the ground during active snowfall. Airport Director Jose Saavedra stated he was awaiting guidance from federal partners regarding victim information release, while the NTSB deferred to local authorities on identification matters. A National Weather Service meteorologist noted that while visibility was severely limited, the weather conditions alone would not typically prevent aircraft operations—suggesting the crash likely resulted from a combination of factors including aircraft condition, pilot decision-making, and adequacy of deicing procedures rather than weather alone.