Six Presumed Dead After Maine Plane Crash – Pilots' Final Call Sheds Light on Tragedy

Family members and friends who have lost loved ones have paid tribute to them as they cope with grief.

A business trip to France turned tragic for a prominent Houston law firm and several local families after an airplane crashed. Investigations into the incident have begun, with pilots' communications providing insight into what happened before the crash.

Houston Jet Bursts Into Flames After Failed Takeoff Attempt

Federal aviation records show the private Bombardier Challenger 600 jet is owned by Arnold & Itkin Law Firm. The aircraft departed from Hobby Airport in Houston on Sunday afternoon, January 26. Employees at Jet Aviation confirmed the corporate jet was heading to France.

The jet successfully landed in Maine before attempting to take off again for France. During that departure, the plane flipped and crashed. Bangor officials reported that all six people on board died.

Heartbreak for Families After Deadly Crash

Multiple sources confirmed that the firm's founders, Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, were not on the flight. However, sources indicate that attorney Tara Arnold, married to Kurt Arnold, was among those killed.

The daughter of event planner Shawna Collins also confirmed that her mother was on the flight. She said she had spoken with her mother on Sunday before departure, noting Collins had been excited for the business trip to Europe.

The captain of the flight was 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer, a pilot from the Houston area. His LinkedIn profile shows that he had been employed by the Houston-based injury law firm Arnold and Itkin LLP since May 2025. Other passenger names have not yet been released.

Snow, Ice, and a Sudden Emergency Call After Plane Flips

The crash occurred during a strong snowstorm affecting the Northeast. Temperatures in Maine were well below freezing, and light snow reduced visibility. Even so, other aircraft continued to take off and land during the same period.

According to air traffic control recordings, Bangor controllers cleared the private jet for a trans-Atlantic flight to Paris-Vatry Airport in France. The aircraft then taxied to a designated area at Bangor International Airport to undergo deicing.

Audio from Bangor's air traffic control tower shows the flight, registered as N10KJ, was cleared for takeoff on Runway 33. Just two minutes later, a controller urgently broadcast, "All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field!"

Moments later, an unidentified voice can be heard saying, "Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down." The FAA report states that the aircraft "crashed under unknown circumstances on departure, came to rest inverted, and caught fire."

Other Pilots Raised Alarming Safety Concerns Before Takeoff

Prior to the crash, air traffic control recordings also captured conversations between pilots of two other departing aircraft. They expressed concern about winter conditions at Bangor Airport at the time of the crash.

Pilots of Allegiant Air Flight 976 told Breeze Airways pilots that they had failed a pre-takeoff check ensuring wings were clear of snow and ice.

In response, the Breeze pilots said their crew was being pressured to depart, adding, "I keep telling them this is stupid." Meanwhile, Allegiant's pilot noted the conditions were "not looking good" and that they might have to stay overnight.

"One, our deice fluid has failed and two, I don't think the visibility is good enough for us to go, so we're going to have to taxi back to the gate here," the Allegiant pilot radioed. The air traffic controller replied that he had been about to warn the crew that visibility had dropped to roughly three-quarters of a mile.

Around the same time, the pilot of the Bombardier had reached the deicing pad and was radioing a request to have the aircraft's wings and tail treated, according to a shared audio. The jet stayed in the deicing area for about 20 minutes before taxiing toward the runway, flipping, and crashing.

Expert Warns of Known Icing Dangers with Bombardier Jet

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-body business jet typically configured to carry between nine and 11 passengers. Introduced in 1980 as the first private jet with a "walk-about cabin," it remains a popular option for charter flights.

Experts have weighed in on the crash. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti said the Bombardier Challenger 600 has "a history of problems with icing on takeoff" that has contributed to earlier crashes. He explained that even a small amount of ice on the wings can lead to serious issues, making deicing essential before departure.

Storm Delays Federal Investigators

As investigations into the plane crash continue, Maine officials have not disclosed an official cause. Aviation experts suggest that icy and wintry conditions may have contributed. Still, authorities noted that other aircraft were successfully taking off and landing during the same period.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. NTSB investigators are planning to travel to Bangor, but a spokesperson said on Monday morning, January 26 that weather conditions make it difficult to predict when they will arrive.

Still, Bangor airport director Jose Saavedra said during a news conference later that day that the NTSB expected to "have a team of investigators on site" later in the afternoon. The airport declined to share additional information about the crash, saying details would have to wait until investigators reached the scene.

The agency is also asking anyone who may have surveillance footage or information related to the incident to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. Arnold & Itkin has not released an official statement as of Monday evening.

"My Heart Hurts for Them": Loved Ones Struggle with Grief

Meanwhile, family and friends have paid tribute to their lost loved ones. Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones shared her sorrow. "I'm close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we're still waiting for additional information. Unfortunately, the plane went down (Sunday) evening in Maine, and my heart hurts for them, for their children, and for their families," she said.

Lesley said Tara was deeply devoted to public service, adding, "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."

Jacob's father, Gary, has also spoken publicly about his son's death, saying he believed his son was now in heaven. A longtime friend who asked to remain anonymous said he had known Jacob for 15 years through his work in aviation.

He described him as an excellent pilot, a devoted husband, and a dedicated father. The friend added that Jacob was consistently kind and known for his cheerful personality.

As families and friends grieve their loved ones, they are now waiting for investigators to complete their work in hopes of learning what led to the loss of life.