The first victims of the fatal plane crash in Maine have been identified.
A Bombardier Challenger 650 crashed during takeoff at about 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, Jan. 25, at Bangor International Airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In an updated accident notice, the FAA said six people died in the incident. Four were passengers and two were flight crew. There were no survivors. (An earlier notice had reported seven deaths and one survivor, who was described as seriously injured.)
A news release shared by the airport on Monday, Jan. 26, stated: “According to the flight manifest there were six people on the flight. No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased. The identities of the people on the flight are not being released publicly at this time, pending positive identification.”
Pilot identified
Jacob Hosmer was the captain of the flight, NBC affiliate KPRC reported. The Houston-area pilot, 47, was confirmed to have been among the victims by his father, Gary.
“He’s in Heaven now with Jesus,” Gary told the outlet.
A friend who knew Hosmer for 15 years as an aviation specialist described him as “a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father,” adding, “He was always kind. He was always laughing.”
Law firm connection and Tara Arnold’s reported death
The aircraft had arrived from Texas, according to Reuters. It is registered to a company with a Houston address shared with the personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin.
Hosmer had Arnold & Itkin LLP listed as his employer on LinkedIn since May 2025.
Multiple sources told ABC affiliate KTRK that the firm’s founders, Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, were not on the aircraft. However, sources said Kurt’s wife, attorney Tara Arnold, was among those killed.
Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, a close friend of the family, told KTRK, “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.”
As of Tuesday, Jan. 27, Arnold & Itkin had not released an official statement.
“She was a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service,” Briones added, according to KTRK. “She was very involved in Precinct 4 and our nonprofit, Precinct 4 Forward. My heart is with Kurt, their children, and everyone affected.”
Shawna Collins also reported onboard
Event planner Shawna Collins was also on board, according to her daughter, KTRK reported. Collins had reportedly spoken with her daughter about the business trip shortly before the flight, which was headed to Europe.
What investigators have said so far
In an audio recording of air traffic controllers’ conversation after the crash, one person can be heard saying, “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.”
First responders arrived less than a minute later, airport director Jose Saavedra said, according to the Associated Press.
The FAA said the plane caught fire after the crash. The exact circumstances remain unclear.
The airport was also being impacted by Winter Storm Fern, with snow falling at the time of the crash, CBS affiliate KHOU and Reuters reported.
