Prominent Texas Law Firm Lawyer Among Victims Identified in Maine Plane Crash

On January 25, a tragic incident occurred when a private business jet, registered to a prominent Houston law firm, crashed during takeoff in Bangor, Maine. Six individuals aboard the aircraft lost their lives, and local officials have since identified four of the victims.

The ill-fated plane, a 2020 Bombardier CL 600, was registered at the address of Arnold & Itkin law firm, a well-known personal injury firm co-founded by Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, both graduates of the University of Texas School of Law. Among the deceased was Tara Arnold, an attorney at the firm and the wife of Kurt Arnold, as confirmed by Bangor police officials.

According to airport officials, the aircraft was carrying four passengers and two crew members. It had arrived from Houston and was en route to Paris-Vatry Airport in France, making a stop in Bangor for fuel and de-icing services. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Bangor Police Department reported that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had identified the four victims as:

• 46-year-old Tara Arnold
• 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer of Texas
• 33-year-old Jorden Reidel of Texas
• 34-year-old Shelby Kuyawa of Hawaii

The office is still working to identify the final two victims, as stated by Bangor police.

Tara Arnold, a Louisiana native, was known for her dedication to business cases and her passion for assisting offshore injury victims. She shared two children with her husband, Kurt Arnold.

Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner and a former colleague of the Arnolds, expressed her sorrow over the crash during an unrelated news event last Monday. She described Tara Arnold as having “a heart of service” and noted her involvement in community efforts in Houston through a nonprofit focused on Precinct 4.

The law firm has been a significant contributor to political campaigns via its political action committee, Texans For Truth and Liberty. Alongside the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the two PACs contributed $268,000 to GOP San Antonio State Rep. Marc LaHood’s campaign, which played a role in defeating a bill aimed at limiting lawsuit awards. Truth and Liberty has emerged as a key donor to candidates opposing tort reform measures in the Legislature.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows shared his condolences on X, stating that he and his wife Elisabeth were keeping all those affected by the plane crash in their prayers. “May God bring strength, comfort, and peace to every family impacted by this heartbreaking situation,” he wrote.

State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, also expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “With broken hearts we are praying hard tonight for our friends and fellow Texans affected by this tragic plane crash in Maine!”

The founding partners of Arnold & Itkin, through their respective family foundations—the Kurt & Tara Arnold Family Foundation and the Jason & Kisha Itkin Family Foundation—have pledged $40 million to support UT athletics.

The investigation will focus on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment. Witnesses to the accident or anyone with surveillance video or relevant information are encouraged to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

A preliminary NTSB report, which will include information gathered during the initial investigation, is expected to be available within 30 days. A final report detailing the probable cause of the crash and contributing factors may take up to a year or more to complete.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Topics
Texas

On January 25, a tragic incident occurred when a private business jet, registered to a prominent Houston law firm, crashed during takeoff in Bangor, Maine. Six individuals aboard the aircraft lost their lives, and local officials have since identified four of the victims.

The ill-fated plane, a 2020 Bombardier CL 600, was registered at the address of Arnold & Itkin law firm, a well-known personal injury firm co-founded by Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, both graduates of the University of Texas School of Law. Among the deceased was Tara Arnold, an attorney at the firm and the wife of Kurt Arnold, as confirmed by Bangor police officials.

According to airport officials, the aircraft was carrying four passengers and two crew members. It had arrived from Houston and was en route to Paris-Vatry Airport in France, making a stop in Bangor for fuel and de-icing services. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Bangor Police Department reported that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had identified the four victims as:

• 46-year-old Tara Arnold
• 47-year-old Jacob Hosmer of Texas
• 33-year-old Jorden Reidel of Texas
• 34-year-old Shelby Kuyawa of Hawaii

The office is still working to identify the final two victims, as stated by Bangor police.

Tara Arnold, a Louisiana native, was known for her dedication to business cases and her passion for assisting offshore injury victims. She shared two children with her husband, Kurt Arnold.

Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner and a former colleague of the Arnolds, expressed her sorrow over the crash during an unrelated news event last Monday. She described Tara Arnold as having “a heart of service” and noted her involvement in community efforts in Houston through a nonprofit focused on Precinct 4.

The law firm has been a significant contributor to political campaigns via its political action committee, Texans For Truth and Liberty. Alongside the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the two PACs contributed $268,000 to GOP San Antonio State Rep. Marc LaHood’s campaign, which played a role in defeating a bill aimed at limiting lawsuit awards. Truth and Liberty has emerged as a key donor to candidates opposing tort reform measures in the Legislature.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows shared his condolences on X, stating that he and his wife Elisabeth were keeping all those affected by the plane crash in their prayers. “May God bring strength, comfort, and peace to every family impacted by this heartbreaking situation,” he wrote.

State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, also expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “With broken hearts we are praying hard tonight for our friends and fellow Texans affected by this tragic plane crash in Maine!”

The founding partners of Arnold & Itkin, through their respective family foundations—the Kurt & Tara Arnold Family Foundation and the Jason & Kisha Itkin Family Foundation—have pledged $40 million to support UT athletics.

The investigation will focus on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment. Witnesses to the accident or anyone with surveillance video or relevant information are encouraged to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

A preliminary NTSB report, which will include information gathered during the initial investigation, is expected to be available within 30 days. A final report detailing the probable cause of the crash and contributing factors may take up to a year or more to complete.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Topics
Texas