Top lawyer and event planner among six killed after private jet flipped and burst into flames during takeoff
Georgie English , Senior Foreign News Reporter
Published: 03:28, 27 Jan 2026
Updated: 03:31, 27 Jan 2026
VICTIMS of the deadly fireball plane crash in Maine have been identified including an ultra-wealthy powerhouse lawyer and an events planner.
All six on board the private jet died as it came crashing down in heavy snowfall just minutes after taking off on Sunday night.
Sign up for The US Sun newsletter
Among the victims is mum-of-two attorney Tara Arnold – the wife of wealthy law firm boss Kurt ArnoldCredit: KNOW-Autism
A second victim was identified as event planner Shawna Collins who was on the trip with TaraCredit: Instagram / Shawna Collins
All six on board the private jet died as it came crashing down in heavy snowfall just minutes after taking off on Sunday nightCredit: AP
Among the victims is 46-year-old attorney Tara Arnold.
The mom-of-two worked at personal-injury firm Arnold & Itkin Law which is ran by her husband Kurt Arnold.
Tara, born in Louisiana, specialized in offshore workplace injuries after graduating from Tulane Law School.
The doomed plane was registered to the top firm but Kirk and his businesspartner Jason Itkin are not believed to have been on board at the time, sources told ABC 13.
read more in plane crashes
Tara, Kurt and their children lived together in a sprawling $11million Houston mansion.
Local Texas lawmaker Lesley Briones spoke on Monday about Tara’s impact on the local Texan community before her death was confirmed.
She said: “She is a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service.”
A second victim was identified as event planner Shawna Collins.
Most read in The US Sun
Her daughter confirmed Shawna’s death to ABC 13 as she said the passengers were all travelling to Europe for a business trip.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 was reportedly en route to Paris from Maine’s Bangor International Airport but tragically crashed shortly after taking off.
A harrowing audio message on the aircraft radio moments earlier reportedly picked up the pilot saying the words “let there be light”.
It remains unclear what the four-word phrase was referring to.
The third victim has been named as pilot Jacob Hosmer.
The 47-year-old Houston native was captaining the flight when it plummeted towards the ground, his grieving dad confirmed to KPRC2.
Father Gary Hosmer told the outlet: “He’s in Heaven now with Jesus.”
Hosmer had been working as a pilot for the Arnold and Itkin law firm for the past eight months.
He was regarded as a trusting and experienced pilot after holding positions with Wing Aviation, Apollo Aviation and Priester Aviation in the past.
Heartbroken friends of Hosmer described him as a loving father and a kind husband.
The third victim has been named as experienced pilot Jacob Hosmer who worked for Arnold and Itkin law firmCredit: Linkedin
Tara, Kurt and their children lived together in a sprawling $11million Houston mansionCredit: Arnold & Itkin LLP
The remaining three victims are yet to be identified as investigations into the crash continue.
All of those on board are believed to have died almost instantly after the plane crashed to the ground at around 7:45pm on Sunday.
As it smashed into the snow, the jet is believed to have flipped over and caught on fire.
Images from the scene showed several emergency vehicles at the airport as smoke rose from the crash.
The airport was closed to allow emergency workers to assess the wreckage.
The cause of the tragedy remains unknown but dangerous weather has been battering Maine in recent days.
The state has been hit by sleet, freezing rain and snow as Winter Storm Fern spreads across much of the US.
More than 235 million Americans are under a state of emergency with the storm now claiming the loves of at least 25 people across seven states.
The once-in-a-generation blizzard has smashed temperature records, with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain as officials issue a tornado warning.
The doomed plane was registered to the top law firm but Kirk and his business partner Jason Itkin are not believed to have been on board at the timeCredit: Refer to source
News
BREAKING: A MIRACLE JUST HAPPENED AFTER THE BRITISH BILLIONAIRE’S DAUGHTER DONATED HER ORGANS TO SAVE 3 VIETNAMESE LIVES!!
Family pay tribute to British teenager killed in motorcycle crash in Vietnam Orla Wates, 19, who died after incident on popular Ha Giang loop, described as ‘beautiful, independent and very funny’ Orla Wates ‘was beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit’, her parents said. Photograph: Family Handout The family of a British teenager […]
“UNBELIEVABLE!! HERE’S WHY THE FAMILY OF THE BRITISH BILLIONAIRE AGREED TO DONATE THEIR BELOVED DAUGHTER’S ORGANS TO SAVE 3 VIETNAMESE LIVES!! Orla Wates, 19, who tragically died after an incident on the popular Ha Giang Loop, described as ‘beautiful, independent, and very funny’.”
Family pay tribute to British teenager killed in motorcycle crash in Vietnam Orla Wates, 19, who died after incident on popular Ha Giang loop, described as ‘beautiful, independent and very funny’ Orla Wates ‘was beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit’, her parents said. Photograph: Family Handout The family of a British teenager […]
“Beloved Daughter Killed After Being Thrown Off Motorcycle During Vietnam Trip, British Billionaire Makes Shocking Statement After 3 Days of Reflection That Stuns Vietnam and the World”
Daughter of British billionaire killed after being thrown off motorcyle during Vietnam trip A heartbreaking twist has emerged after the daughter of a billionaire building tycoon was tragically killed during her gap year holiday in Vietnam. British backpacker Orla Wates was thrown off the back of a motorbike after the driver lost control while travelling […]
A NIGHTMARE REPEATS AFTER 30 YEARS FOR THE FAMILY OF ORLA WATES: IS THIS A CURSE? Orla Wates, a 19-year-old from London, tragically passed away in a motorbike accident on the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam on April 2, 2026, while on a gap year before starting university. Her family described her as “independent, humorous, and full of life.” In an extraordinary act of generosity, her family decided to donate Orla’s organs, saving the lives of several critically ill patients in Vietnam. What’s even more chilling is that exactly 30 years ago, her family experienced a similar tragedy…
Tycoon’s daughter Orla Wates died in gap year tragedy 30 years after her cousin was killed on HIS gap year The death of a building tycoon’s daughter in a motorbike crash in Vietnam is the second gap year tragedy to rock one of Britain’s wealthiest families, the Daily Mail can reveal. Orla Wates, 19, was […]
FAMILY OF BRITISH GIRL DONATES ORGANS TO SAVE 3 VIETNAMESE LIVES — A TRAGEDY REPEATS ITSELF 30 YEARS LATER! After 19-year-old Orla Wates tragically passed away in a motorbike accident on Vietnam’s Hà Giang Loop, her family made the extraordinary decision to donate her organs, saving 3 lives in the process. What’s even more chilling? This act of generosity mirrors a devastating event that happened to their family 30 years ago. Could history be repeating itself?
London Teen, Who Died in Motorbike Crash in Vietnam, Saved 3 Lives with Donated Organs “Knowing that she is living on through them brings us great comfort,” her mom said winding road at ha giang loop in northern vietnam. Credit : Getty NEED TO KNOW Orla Wates died in a motorcycle accident on Vietnam’s Hà […]
“THE BATTLE FOR THE ESTATE BEGINS!” Lynette Hooker’s husband says he’s “heartbroken” over her disappearance, but his story doesn’t match his daughter’s. With accusations flying and conflicting stories, who’s telling the truth, and who’s hiding the dark secrets?
Lynette Hooker’s husband says he’s ‘heartbroken’ over disappearance at sea after claims he had darker side The husband of missing American boater Lynette Hooker said he was “heartbroken” over her tragic disappearance at sea hours after his stepdaughter claimed he had a darker side. Brian Hooker broke his silence in a Facebook post on Wednesday, […]
End of content
No more pages to load
