A tragic private jet crash in Bangor, Maine, has killed six people, including prominent Texas attorney Tara Arnold. The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down Sunday evening shortly after takeoff during heavy snowfall while departing for a business trip to Paris.
The jet had stopped to refuel and flipped shortly after leaving the runway around 7:45 p.m., bursting into flames. Air traffic control recordings captured the moment responders reported the aircraft upside down.
Among the victims were Tara Arnold, partner at Houston law firm Arnold & Itkin; event planner Shawna Collins; and pilot Jacob Hosmer. Arnold was traveling with colleagues, and the jet was owned by her law firm. Collins, a longtime Lakewood Church employee, was remembered as warm and beloved. Hosmer, a father and experienced pilot, had joined the firm just months earlier.
Three additional victims have not yet been identified.
The crash occurred amid severe winter weather from Winter Storm Fern. Aviation experts say ice buildup on aircraft wings can severely affect lift, especially for Challenger 600 jets. Air traffic control recordings reveal other pilots had expressed concerns about visibility and deicing failures shortly before the crash.
The plane had spent about 20 minutes being deiced before attempting takeoff. Investigators believe icy conditions may have played a role.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, and Bangor International Airport remains closed as authorities continue to examine the cause. Anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact the NTSB.