Private jet linked to Houston law firm crashes in Maine, multiple deaths reported

HOUSTON - Officials say multiple people died after a plane crashed at the Bangor International Airport in Maine while taking off during Sunday's winter storm.

The plane is linked to the Arnold and Itkin Law Firm in Houston.

Bangor airport officials and police say six people were on board and all of them are presumed dead.

Maine plane crash

What we know:

Bangor police said the aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, crashed around 7:45 p.m. ET as it took off at Bangor International Airport in Maine, as the snowstorm was rolling in.

The FAA reports the plane caught on fire after it turned upside down.

Air traffic control radio reviewed by FOX 26 reveals the tail number for the plane was N10KJ. The aircraft bearing that number matches the model released by the FAA.

The plane was also recorded as leaving Hobby airport Houston on Sunday and landing in Bangor. Reports say the plane attempted to take off less than two hours later. The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a private business jet.

In the same recording that revealed the tail number, reports can be heard saying a passenger airplane was upside down on the runway. Shortly after, the airport shut down traffic.

According to AP, the Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-bodied business jet configured for nine to 11 passengers. It was launched in 1980 as the first private jet with a "walk-about cabin" and remains a popular charter option, according to aircharterservice.com.

What they're saying:

The FAA initially reported eight people were on board and stated seven passengers were killed, and one survived with serious injuries. However, the Bangor International Airport officials and Bangor police later issued a press release on Monday afternoon and confirmed six people were on the jet and are presumed dead.

The crash victims have not been identified at this time.

What we don't know:

Some reports say that the firm is the owner of the craft, but it has not been independently confirmed that this is true, or whether any of their staff were involved in the crash.

The identities of those on the plane have not been released.

Linked to Houston law firm

Local perspective:

The N10KJ plane is registered to KTKJ Challenger, LLC and the address linked to that tail number is the same address of the Arnold & Itkin, a Houston law firm. In Houston, security was tight on Monday outside the offices of Arnold & Itkin on Memorial Drive, where Houston Police officers were seen guarding the building. 

The firm has not yet released an official statement or confirmed the identities of those on board.

The tragedy comes as the firm’s founders, Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold, were recently recognized as top national trial lawyers and prominent political and philanthropic donors in Texas and the U.S.

During Monday afternoon's press conference regarding local weather, Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones made a comment about the crash.

"I am very close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we're still waiting for additional information," Briones said. "Unfortunately, the plane went down yesterday evening in Maine. My heart hurts for them and their children and their families. And I worked at Arnold & Itkin for a time. And so I know them well, and this is just a tragedy."

NTSB investigation into crash

Dig deeper:

A team of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators is currently assembling and is expected to arrive on scene shortly. Once on site, they will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft before it is recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. The NTSB says a preliminary report will be available within 30 days, and it can be accessed by searching their investigations' database with the NTSB number CEN26FA098. 

NTSB states investigations focus on three primary areas: 

• The pilot
• The aircraft
• The operating environment

To reconstruct the events leading to the crash, investigators will gather flight track data and air traffic control recordings.

FOX 26 spoke with an aviation attorney about what factors investigators could be looking into.

"The investigators will be looking into the design of this aircraft the unique design. They will be looking at the maintenance history of this particular aircraft. They will be speaking to other pilots who have flown this aircraft before, if they are any. And they will be speaking to other pilots at this airport who were taking off around the same time," said Pablo Rojas, Aviation Attorney.

What they're saying:

NTSB gave FOX 26 this statement:

The NTSB is investigating the Jan. 25 crash of a Bombardier CL 600 airplane in Bangor, Maine. The preliminary information we have is the plane crashed upon departing Bangor International Airport and experienced a postcrash fire.

A team of NTSB investigators is currently assembling and is expected to arrive on scene shortly. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.  

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:

• Flight track data
• Recordings of any air traffic control communications
• Aircraft maintenance records
• Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident
• Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience
• 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight
• Witness statements
• Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation
• Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. 

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.  

The NTSB has no role in the release of the identities of accident victims and/or the extent and number of injuries nor does it release the identities of those injured or killed; that’s handled by local authorities.

The FAA provided this statement:

A Bombardier Challenger 650 crashed as it was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, Jan. 25. Eight people were on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.

• Contact local authorities for information about those on board.
• The FAA’s preliminary accident/incident report is posted here.
• The aircraft registration number (N-number) is N10KJ. You can search it here.

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