BANGOR, Maine — A quiet Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport turned into heartbreak for families across the country when a private Bombardier Challenger 600 business jet flipped, burst into flames and killed all six people aboard as it tried to take off for France. The victims included Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old attorney from Houston and the wife of prominent personal injury lawyer Kurt Arnold.
The jet was operated from the airport around 7:45 p.m. amid a winter storm that brought heavy snow and cold winds to the Northeast. Photos and videos shared by first responders showed the aircraft overturned in the snow with thick smoke rising, a stark scene that shocked residents and travelers alike.
Authorities say the Bombardier, registered to an LLC tied to the Houston law firm Arnold & Itkin, was on a planned transatlantic trip to Paris. It had landed earlier in Bangor for refueling and de-icing before attempting departure when it lost control on the runway.
Tara Arnold, who was traveling with friends, was confirmed by close family friends and local officials to be among the dead. She was remembered not just for her legal career but for her deep involvement in community service and her role as a devoted mother to her two children. A Harris County official described her as a “phenomenal person” with a generous heart, whose loss has left a profound void among those who knew her.
Also identified were Jacob Hosmer, a 47-year-old pilot from the Houston area who had flown with the firm, and Shawna Collins, an event planner whose daughter spoke publicly about her excitement for the upcoming trip just hours before the crash. Other victims have not yet been publicly named while authorities work with families.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. Early reports point to adverse winter weather and possible issues during the takeoff roll as areas of scrutiny, though a full picture of what happened won’t emerge until investigators complete their work.
In the wake of the tragedy, tributes have poured in for the victims. Friends and colleagues recall them as warm, talented people with rich personal and professional lives. As Bangor continues to cope with the aftermath, hopes for clearer answers rest with investigators who are combing through flight data, weather records and eyewitness accounts.
