First victims in deadly Maine plane crash ID’d as pilot, attorney wife of prominent Texas law firm founder

The attorney wife of an elite Texas law firm partner, an event planner and a pilot who joined the company less than a year ago were among six people killed when a private jet flipped over and burst into flames at a Maine airport over the weekend — just after a voice over the radio said, “Let there be light.’’

Tara Arnold — a 46-year-old powerhouse lawyer who lived with her two kids and mega-wealthy husband in a Houston mansion — was en route to Paris with those on board the plane when it crashed Sunday evening, killing everyone, according to records and reports.

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Tara Arnold was killed when the plane registered to her husband Kurt Arnold’s personal injury firm, Arnold & Itkin Law, crashed Sunday evening in Bangor, Maine.Arnold & Itkin LLP
The plane was registered to Tara’s husband Kurt Arnold’s successful personal injury firm — Arnold & Itkin Law — where she also worked.

Kurt Arnold and his business partner Jason Itkin were not on the plane when it crashed, sources told ABC 13.

But Kurt’s wife was a passenger on the doomed aircraft, the sources said.

Local Texas lawmaker Lesley Briones on Monday spoke highly of Tara — but later acknowledged not having firsthand knowledge she was killed in the plane wreck.

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The twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 600 was taking off from a snow-covered runway at Bangor International Airport when it crashed and exploded, killing everyone on board, officials said.@Turbinetraveler/X
“I am close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold,” Briones reportedly said.

“She is a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service,” Briones said.

Jacob Hosmer, a 47-year-old Houston-area pilot who was the captain of the flight, also died during the wreck, his father confirmed to KPRC2.

“He’s in Heaven now with Jesus,” grieving dad Gary Hosmer told the outlet.

Hosmer had been working as a pilot for Arnold and Itkin since May 2025. He had held previous positions with Wing Aviation, Apollo Aviation and Priester Aviation, all of which frequently run private charter jets, according to his LinkedIn.

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Jacob Hosmer, a 47-year-old Houston-area pilot who was captain of the flight, also died in the wreck.LinkedIn

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Hosmer had been working as a pilot for Arnold and Itkin since May 2025.LinkedIn
Friends of Hosmer described him as a loving and kind father and husband.

“I would describe him as a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father,” a longtime friend told the outlet.

“He was always kind. He was always laughing.”

A third victim was identified by ABC13 as event planner Shawna Collins.

Collins’ daughter confirmed her mom’s death to the outlet and said the passengers aboard the plane were going to Europe for a business trip.

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The third victim was identified as event planner Shawna Collins.Instagram / Shawna Collins
The plane — a twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 600, which can seat up to 11 people — was taking off from a snow-covered runway at Bangor International Airport around 7:45 p.m. when it crashed back onto the runway and exploded, killing everyone on board, officials said.

A moment before takeoff, a voice was eerily heard over the flight’s radio communications saying, “Let there be light,” although it’s unclear what that meant.

“All traffic is stopped on the field!” an air traffic controller then quickly shouted.

“Aircraft upside down, we have a passenger aircraft upside down,” a controller added as emergency crews rushed to the wreck.

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Arnold was part of a prominent Texas family known for multimillion-dollar donations to Lone Star State Republican causes, as well as to the Texas Longhorns football program.LinkedIn

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The crash occurred as Winter Storm Fern was battering Maine and much of the East Coast.FAA
Kurt Arnold and his law partner Jason Itkin, as well as both their wives, were known to make multimillion-dollar donations to Lone Star State Republican causes, as well as to such things as the Texas Longhorns football program, to which they pledged $40 million.

Tara, a Louisiana native, worked at the firm, specializing in offshore workplace injuries, after graduating with high honors from Tulane Law School.

She and her husband and kids lived together in an $11 million Houston home.

The doomed jet had landed in Bangor around 6 p.m. for apparent refueling after taking off from Houston and then was taking off again in the blizzard en route to Paris when the tragedy struck, KHOU reported.

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The Arnolds with their children.KNOWAutism Foundation

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Kurt and Tara Arnold with Kisha and Jason Itkin. Kurt and Jason founded the Arnold and Itkin Law Firm.Arnold & Itkin LLP
Arnold & Itkin Law has not issued any public statements on the tragedy and did not respond to requests for comment from The Post.

It remains unclear what role Winter Storm Fern may have played in the wreck.

Several other planes were taking off before the wreck, but the airport was also de-icing aircraft waiting on the tarmac — and it remains unclear whether the ill-fated jet had been a part of those procedures.

Bombardier Challenger 600s have had a history of takeoff troubles during inclement cold-weather takeoffs — with small ice accumulations being known to affect the craft, according to aviation consultant Jeff Guzzetti.

“Given the weather conditions at the time and the history of wind contamination with this particular aircraft, I’m sure that’s something the NTSB is going to look into immediately,” he said.

“If there was any kind of precipitation at all, freezing precipitation, they would have needed to clean off those wings before they took off,” Guzzetti added.

The wreck left the airport closed, and it is not expected to reopen until Wednesday.