A private jet with FAA tail number N888KG, registered to N888KG LLC in Lehi, Utah, was observed departing Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) approximately one hour after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10. Flight tracking data from ADS-B Exchange and similar platforms revealed unusual activity: the aircraft initially flew southeast toward the Arizona/Nevada border before disabling its ADS-B transponder around 7:44–7:58 PM MDT, causing it to vanish from public radar. This action, which is illegal without special authorization, allowed the jet to potentially travel up to 350-400 nautical miles before reappearing on radar about an hour later, returning to PVU without a publicly filed flight plan.
The aircraft’s owner, Derek Maxfield, has ties to the Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Foundation, which operates the Saprea nonprofit focused on supporting survivors of sexual abuse. Critics have raised questions about the jet’s sudden disappearance, noting that its flight path appeared to align with remote airstrips in Arizona, such as Page Municipal Airport (PGA), and that it spent only 14 minutes on the ground during a round-trip journey. Social media users and analysts have speculated about a possible connection to the assassination, though authorities have stated there is no evidence of foul play.
Grok, an aviation data platform, attributed the jet’s temporary loss of tracking to natural factors, including signal interference from Utah’s mountainous terrain. Detailed records from other sources confirm the flight followed a pre-scheduled route with no violations. Despite this, concerns persist about the timing and secrecy surrounding the aircraft’s movements, with some urging further investigation into its role in the aftermath of Kirk’s death.