Several victims killed in a private jet crash in Maine during a snowstorm on Sunday have been identified.
The France-bound Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed shortly after takeoff at Bangor international airport, killing all six people on board. Among the victims was Houston-based attorney Tara Arnold, who was married to Kurt Arnold, a co-founder of the Arnold & Itkin Law Firm, which owns the private jet, according to the Texas news outlet ABC13.
Speaking to the station, Harris county, Texas, commissioner Lesley Briones said she is a close friend of the Arnolds.
“I’m close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold and we’re still waiting for additional information,” Briones said, adding: “Unfortunately, the plane went down [Sunday] evening in Maine, and my heart hurts for them, for their children, and for their families.”
Briones went on to describe Tara Arnold as a devoted public servant and community leader in her county precinct.
“She was a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service. She was very involved in Precinct 4 and our nonprofit, Precinct 4 Forward. My heart is with Kurt, their children, and everyone affected,” she said.
Another victim on board was Shawna Collins, a Houston-based event planner. Her daughter told ABC13 she had spoken with her mother before the flight on Sunday and said Collins was looking forward to the business trip.
The plane’s pilot, 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer, was also killed in the crash. His father, Gary Hosmer, told the Texas outlet Click2Houston: “He’s in heaven now with Jesus.”
A friend who knew Hosmer told the outlet: “I would describe him as a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father. He was always kind. He was always laughing.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said early findings indicate the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff and caught fire afterward. The agency said it will not disclose additional details until investigators reach the site.
At the time of the crash, air traffic control audio captured a voice saying: “Aircraft upside down – we have a passenger aircraft upside down,” about 45 seconds after takeoff clearance. Airport director Jose Saavedra said first responders arrived in under a minute after the crash and fire.
