Private Jet Crash Kills Top Texas Lawyer and Five Others
Tara Arnold, a high-profile commercial lawyer from Houston, was one of six people killed when a Bombardier Challenger 650 private jet crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine. The jet was attempting to leave amid a fierce winter storm as the group set off on a girls’ trip to Paris.
Arnold, 46, worked at the prestigious firm Arnold & Itkin LLP and was married to prominent personal injury attorney Kurt Arnold. The crash also claimed the life of event planner Shawna Collins and the plane’s pilot, Jacob Hosmer. Witnesses say the jet lifted off before veering off course, flipping over at around 175mph and bursting into flames.
Meet the Victims of the Tragic Crash
- Tara Arnold: A seasoned commercial lawyer, Tara lived with husband Kurt and their two children in an $11 million Houston mansion. Known for her work on aviation accidents and migrant rights cases, she was a respected legal force.
- Shawna Collins: An enthusiastic event planner looking forward to the European trip, according to her daughter.
- Jacob Hosmer: The flight’s 47-year-old pilot and longtime Arnold & Itkin employee, praised by friends as “a great pilot, loving husband, and phenomenal father.”
Authorities confirmed all six aboard perished. Early FAA reports incorrectly claimed eight were on board and one crew member survived.
Winter Storm Fern Blamed for Deadly Crash
The disaster struck around 7:45pm Sunday in brutal conditions. Winter Storm Fern coated the airport with deep snow and ice, slashing visibility. The jet veered sharply right during takeoff, flipped, and exploded on the runway. Shocking footage shows the wreckage burned and overturned, smoke billowing into the night sky.
The FAA and NTSB are leading a formal crash investigation. The storm caused nearly 11,000 flight cancellations across 24 states, with multiple emergencies declared. Temperatures hovered just above freezing, and 6-8 inches of snow blanketed the airport at impact time.
Tributes Pour in for Tara Arnold
Tara graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University and followed in her personal injury lawyer mother’s footsteps. She dedicated herself to fighting for victims, especially offshore oil accident claimants.
“This is just a tragedy. Tara was phenomenal, a leader with a heart of service,” said Harris County Precinct Four Commissioner Lesley Briones, a close family friend.
The Arnold family were well-known philanthropists, donating over $40 million to University of Texas athletics programs.
Adding to the mystery, audio from the plane’s final radio call included the haunting phrase, “let there be light,” moments before the crash — a chilling clue investigators continue to probe.
