Tara Arnold, Shawna Collins, Jacob Hosmer Among Six Killed In Bangor Airport Plane Crash

BANGOR, ME. (THECOUNT) — Tara Arnold, 46, Shawna Collins, and Jacob Hosmer, 47, are among six people who died Sunday night when a business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine.

Family members confirmed to ABC News that Collins, a Houston-based event planner, and Hosmer, the pilot of the aircraft, were killed in the crash. Multiple sources have also identified Arnold, an attorney and the wife of Arnold & Itkin law firm co-founder Kurt Arnold, as one of the victims. Federal and state officials have not yet released the identities of the victims.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday as a snowstorm moved into the area and visibility diminished. Authorities said the aircraft crashed during takeoff from a snow-covered runway and burst into flames.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and confirmed that all six people aboard the aircraft were killed.

Collins’ daughter told ABC News she spoke with her mother earlier Sunday before the flight and said Collins was excited about an upcoming business trip to Europe.

Hosmer’s cousin told ABC News that Hosmer was the pilot of the aircraft.

“He is in Heaven now with Jesus,” the cousin said.

The aircraft was identified as a twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 600 business jet, which can seat up to 11 people. Officials said the jet had landed at Bangor International Airport around 6 p.m. Sunday for what was believed to be a refueling stop.

The flight originated in Houston and was en route to Paris when it crashed shortly after attempting to depart Bangor, according to reports.

The jet was registered to a corporation that shares the same Houston address as the personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers. One of the firm’s founding partners is listed as the registered agent for the company that owns the aircraft.

Arnold worked as an attorney at Arnold & Itkin and specialized in offshore workplace injury cases. She was a graduate of Tulane Law School and lived in Houston with her husband and two children.

The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation. An official cause of the crash has not been determined.

Aviation experts said snow and ice may have played a role in the crash, though officials noted that other aircraft were landing and taking off at the airport around the same time.

The investigation remains ongoing.