Heartbreaking details have been released after a renowned lawyer was identified among the six victims of the tragic Maine plane crash.
A private jet carrying six people tragically crashed at Bangor International Airport on Sunday (January 25) evening, moments after taking off in heavy snowfall.
The jet, a Bombardier Challenger 600, had landed in Bangor earlier in the evening for refueling before attempting to take off again around 7:45PM in the midst of a snowstorm.
As it prepared for takeoff, an eerie voice was heard over the radio saying, "Let there be light." It remains unclear what the phrase referred to, but shortly after, the plane crashed and burst into flames.
"Aircraft upside down, we have a passenger aircraft upside down," an air-traffic controller reported as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
The crash left the airport closed for investigations, and it’s not expected to reopen until at least Wednesday.
Victims Identified
Tara Arnold, a powerhouse lawyer who was married to Kurt Arnold, a partner at a prominent Texas law firm, Arnold & Itkin, was identified as one of the victims. She was traveling with the other victims to Paris for a business trip when the plane went down.
Local Texas lawmaker Lesley Briones, a close friend of the Arnolds, described Arnold as “a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service," per ABC13.
In addition to Arnold, event planner Shawna Collins was also on board. Her daughter confirmed her mother’s death, revealing that the passengers were traveling to Europe for a business trip.
The pilot, 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer, a Houston native, was also among the victims. He had been with Arnold & Itkin for less than a year and had previously worked for multiple aviation companies.
His father, Gary Hosmer, confirmed the heartbreaking news, saying: “He’s in Heaven now with Jesus," Click2houston reported.
Friends of Hosmer described him as a devoted family man and a highly skilled, trustworthy pilot.
The remaining three victims have not yet been identified, as investigations continue into the tragic event.
Weather Conditions and Possible Contributing Factors
The plane had been sitting at Bangor International Airport since its arrival around 6PM, and it remains unclear whether it underwent de-icing procedures before attempting to take off.
Maine had been experiencing severe winter weather due to Winter Storm Fern, which brought sleet, freezing rain, and snow to much of the state.
Aviation experts are speculating that small ice accumulations on the plane's wings could have played a role in the crash, as the Bombardier Challenger 600 has a history of takeoff difficulties during cold weather.
Jeff Guzzetti, an aviation consultant, noted that any freezing precipitation on the plane’s wings could have affected its lift, making the aircraft difficult to control during takeoff, the New York Post reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to investigate these weather conditions as a potential factor in the crash.
Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones.