Six Pass Away after Plane Incident in Maine Involving Houston Law Firm Jet

A chilling radio call, a fireball in the snow, and six lives gone in seconds. What really happened on that icy Maine runway?

A high-powered business trip ended in disaster Sunday evening when a private jet linked to a prominent Houston law firm crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport, killing everyone on board.

The Bombardier Challenger 600, a twin-engine aircraft owned by legal powerhouse Arnold & Itkin LLP, flipped and erupted into flames at 7:45 p.m. as Winter Storm Fern lashed the Northeast with snow and freezing temperatures.

The jet had earlier departed from Houston's Hobby Airport, made a stop in Maine, and was headed to France. But as it began to lift off the snow-covered runway in Bangor, it never left the ground.

Wife of Law Firm Founder Among the Victims

Among the six killed was Tara Arnold, wife of firm co-founder Kurt Arnold. A Louisiana native and Tulane Law School graduate, she was a respected attorney in her own right, specializing in offshore workplace injuries.

Tara lived in an 11-million-dollar mansion in Houston with her husband and their children.

"I'm close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we're still waiting for additional information," said Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. "My heart hurts for them, for their children, and for their families."

Kurt Arnold and fellow founder Jason Itkin were not on the flight.

Cryptic Transmission Precedes Fatal Crash

Seconds before the crash, a haunting phrase echoed over the radio, "Let there be light."

An air traffic controller then shouted, "All traffic is stopped on the field!" followed by: "Aircraft upside down, we have a passenger aircraft upside down."

The airport was temporarily shut down as emergency crews swarmed the wreckage, but it was already too late.

Experienced Pilot Among the Victims

The plane's pilot, Jacob Hosmer, 47, was also killed. A Houston-area native, he had joined Arnold & Itkin in May 2025 as Team Captain and previously worked with multiple aviation firms.

"He's in Heaven now with Jesus," said his father, Gary Hosmer. A friend described him as "a phenomenal father, always kind, always laughing."

Last Calls and Unimaginable Loss

Another victim was Shawna Collins, an event planner who had spoken with her daughter earlier that day. She had been looking forward to the firm's upcoming business trip to Europe.

Three additional passengers have not yet been identified. Despite the storm, airport officials confirmed that other planes had successfully taken off and landed around the same time. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities are focused on the severe winter conditions as a potential factor.

Winter Storm Fern had brought heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures across Maine and the surrounding states that evening. As investigators continue to examine the cause of the Maine jet crash, it is not the only recent tragedy to leave families reeling.

Just days earlier, another devastating accident unfolded hundreds of miles away, this time on a Georgia highway, where one father would lose nearly everything in the span of a single week.

A Georgia family was plunged into unimaginable grief after a wrong-way crash on a rural highway left a mother and two of her children dead, while the children’s father was forced to say goodbye to his youngest son days later.

The crash unfolded on the night of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, along U.S. 82 in Lee County. Georgia State Patrol confirmed that 32-year-old Bernedine Spann was driving with her daughter, 13-year-old Ja'Leah, and seven-year-old son Jaxton when another vehicle, allegedly traveling in the wrong direction, struck them head-on.

The driver of the other car has been identified as 41-year-old Sherita Goddard. Authorities say she is suspected of being under the influence at the time of the crash. Bernedine and Ja'Leah were pronounced dead at the scene.

He Took His Last Breath in His Father's Arms

Jaxton was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. For four days, his family hoped he would survive. But on January 18, his father, James Spann, shared the heartbreaking news that his youngest son had died.

"On January 18,2026 at 1:38 my baby boy transition to be with his mother and sister taking his last breath and heartbeat in my arms," James shared in a Facebook post. "Our last photo together if only this moment could of last forever. Unfortunately it just a unforgettable memory. The #spann5 is down to the #Jamesduo. Don't drink and drive it takes others lives."

Sherita and her passenger, who is believed to be her daughter, were both injured and taken to a hospital after the crash. Their conditions have not been made public. As of Wednesday, officials had not announced whether charges would be filed.

Outrage over Accountability

Bernedine's longtime friend, Shonda James, spoke with fury about the woman suspected of causing the crash.

"She needs to be held accountable to the full extent. She killed people — they did not have to die. She needs to take accountability. She needs to go to jail. I have no sympathy. I have no forgiveness for her at this moment," she said.

Shonda also expressed frustration that Sherita had been allowed behind the wheel at all.

She expressed, "It was negligent for them to let her drive drunk from wherever she was coming from, and it's the fact that she did not care; she made a [conscious] decision to get behind the wheel with children in her car and drive on the wrong side of the freaking road."

Only One Child Survives

The crash left one child in the Spann family behind — Bernedine's other son, James III, who was not in the car that night.

Ja'Leah and Jaxton were both students in Randolph County Schools. Ja'Leah was in the eighth grade, Jaxton in second. The school district released a statement confirming their deaths and said counseling would be made available for students and staff.

An online fundraiser launched shortly after the crash has raised more than $34,000 of its $35,000 goal to cover funeral and medical expenses.

The GoFundMe page described the incident as a "senseless tragedy" and said the family was relying on their faith during this time of unimaginable grief.

A Community in Mourning

Mourners turned to social media to honor Bernedine's life and mourn the loss of her family.

"A Daughter A sister, A friend and MOST IMPORTANTLY A MOTHER! She was a classmate to me and my Co Workers daughter," a person named April Giles posted. "This young lady has made a huge impact on a lot of people's lives! She was always smiling and always ready to make you laugh. Bernedine Tyeisha you made your mark girl!"

Others voiced their anger. "Sherita Peterman Goddard we heard you like to drink and get in your car you killed my sister and her baby bruh ALLEGEDLY," wrote Morgan Williams Spann.

The tragic loss of the Spann family is one of several recent incidents in which entire families have been torn apart by devastating roadway accidents.