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Per http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/crj200/specs.html

12,496 meters or ~FL410 is indeed the "maximum".

I just wonder if 41,000 is the maximum because of how the aircraft is pressurized, the state-of-the-art of the rubber jungle in the cockpit (for flights aboveFL 410) OR if that really is the flame-out altitude. There is a "B" version of the CRJ2 - configured for hot or high altitude operations, but I presume they mean take off/ runway conditions related to air density.

Who knows.

Bottom line, they had the runway in sight at Jefferson and ran out of glide path. Sad.

this is what i was thinking. I've been out of aviation for many years now (A&P and a CFii) but i can't think of many modern commercial jet engines that can't handle 41k with ease, in many cases it is the airframe that limits max. ceiling. If the airplane was rated at 41k it should be capable of reaching 5-10k above it's rated max. without flameout. I've taken a KingAir above its max a few times to avoid major storms and the PT6's never hiccuped, but there were a few groans from the airframe. I do know that very large turbofans lower flameout altitude, but I don't think this engine falls into that category.

I just find this odd, but i could be very wrong.