Plane Crash in Maine

A private jet crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine claimed the lives of all six people on board on January 25, 2026, during the onset of a major winter storm that brought heavy snow, strong winds, and near-zero visibility to the region.

The Bombardier Challenger 650, registered as N10KJ and operated by a company linked to the Houston-based trial law firm Arnold & Itkin, was en route from Houston, Texas, to Paris, France, with a planned refueling stop in Bangor. The flight carried four passengers--high-net-worth travel consultants scouting France's Champagne region for luxury clients--and two pilots.

The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. local time as the jet attempted takeoff from Runway 33. According to preliminary reports from the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft veered off the runway, flipped inverted, came to rest upside down, and burst into flames. The fire consumed much of the wreckage, destroying the plane entirely. No one survived.

Initial confusion surrounded the casualty count: early FAA statements cited seven fatalities and one serious injury, but Bangor airport officials and local police later confirmed six occupants based on the flight manifest, with all presumed dead at the scene. Emergency responders faced challenging conditions due to the intensifying storm, which also temporarily closed the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation immediately, focusing on factors such as weather impacts on takeoff performance, possible runway contamination from snow and ice, aircraft handling, and pre-flight decisions to depart amid deteriorating conditions. Deep snow blanketed the crash site in the days following, delaying on-scene work and evidence recovery.

Victim identification proceeded gradually. By early February, authorities released all names through Maine's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and local police: pilots Jacob Hosmer, 47, of Pearland, Texas, and Jorden Reidel, 33, of Texas; passengers including firm associate Arnold (full name details varied in reports), sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, of Hawaii; Shawna Collins, 53, of Texas; and Nick Mastrascusa, 43, of Hawaii.

The crash highlighted risks of operating in severe winter weather, even for experienced crews on high-performance business jets. Families of the victims expressed grief over the loss of loved ones pursuing professional opportunities abroad. As the NTSB probe continues into late February 2026, no final cause has been determined, though officials have emphasized the role of the storm in complicating the takeoff. Bangor airport resumed limited operations after the incident, with enhanced winter protocols reviewed in response.