Plans for a fun getaway turned into a nightmare when a private jet carrying six people crashed during takeoff in Maine.
The group, flying from Houston on what was meant to be a girls’ trip to Paris, never made it to their destination.
Among the victims were a prominent lawyer, a well-known event planner, and the plane’s experienced pilot.
The crash occurred on Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport, where the plane, a Bombardier Challenger 650, veered off course and flipped at around 175 mph.
Dramatic footage showed the wreckage upside-down and burning, a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.
Remembering Tara Arnold
Tara Arnold, 46, a commercial lawyer and wife of Houston personal injury attorney Kurt Arnold, was one of the victims.
Tara had built a distinguished career at Arnold & Itkin LLP, where she had worked since the firm’s founding in 2005.
Known for her dedication to accident victims, especially those on offshore oil platforms, she was respected for her compassion and professionalism.
Tara and Kurt lived in Houston in an $11 million mansion with their two children, Jaxon and Isla.
Inspired by her mother, herself a personal injury attorney, Tara often spoke about the responsibility of protecting her clients’ futures, describing law as more than a career—it was a calling.
She graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University before launching her career in mergers and acquisitions in New York, eventually returning to Houston and joining her husband’s firm.
Friends and Colleagues Lost
Shawna Collins, an event planner, was another victim.
Her daughter recalled how excited her mother was for the European business trip. Jacob Hosmer, 47, the pilot, also died.
A Houston-area friend described him as “a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father,” emphasizing his kind and joyful nature.
Hosmer had been employed with Arnold & Itkin LLP since May 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile, and had a long-standing reputation as an aviation specialist.
The Fatal Flight
The jet had landed in Bangor for refueling and ice removal before continuing across the Atlantic.
At 7:45 pm, it attempted takeoff under harsh winter conditions—temperatures hovered around 1°F, with six to eight inches of snow on the runway.
Audio recordings captured radio chatter about low visibility and ice removal.
Just minutes after clearance, controllers reported the plane was upside-down on the runway.
Witnesses described the plane lifting off, crashing back, and exploding in a fireball.
Doorcam footage captured a loud bang but did not show the plane itself.
Community in Mourning
The crash has devastated families and friends.
Tara’s mother, Karen, and brother, Sam, declined comment, while Harris County Precinct Four Commissioner Lesley Briones, a close friend, remembered Tara as a “phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service.”
The Arnolds were also noted philanthropists, particularly for the University of Texas, contributing more than $40 million to athletics programs alongside their friends Jason and Kisha.
Investigations and Harsh Winter Conditions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash.
Initial reports misstated the number of people on board.
The tragedy unfolded amid Winter Storm Fern, which caused 11,000 flight cancellations nationwide and left 34 states grappling with snow and ice.
Maine itself was under a winter storm warning when the plane attempted takeoff.
FAA weather cameras showed heavy cloud cover, and forecasters have warned that the storm’s impact is “catastrophic,” prompting state-of-emergency declarations across at least 24 states.
Lives Remembered
This devastating accident underscores how quickly a routine trip can turn tragic.
Tara Arnold, Shawna Collins, Jacob Hosmer, and their companions were professionals, parents, and friends with bright futures ahead.
Their sudden loss has left a lasting impact on their families, communities, and colleagues.
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