Maine Plane Crash Victims Were Employees of Luxury Travel Startup Founded by Texas Attorney
A tragic plane crash in Maine claimed the lives of six individuals who were en route to France’s Champagne region. Their mission was to scout potential travel destinations for high-net-worth clients when their small jet flipped on the runway during takeoff.
The victims included an acclaimed chef, a sommelier, and an event planner, all associated with Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old Houston lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and philanthropist. Local authorities confirmed the deaths of Arnold and three others on Tuesday. The group was flying from Houston to France, making a refueling stop in Bangor, when the Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed amid an approaching snowstorm on January 25, bursting into flames.
Among the deceased were sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, from Hawaii, and pilots Jacob Hosmer, 47, and Jorden Reidel, 33, both from Texas. Other victims included event planner Shawna Collins, 53, also from Houston, and chef Nick Mastrascusa, 43, from Hawaii.
Lawyer Launched Concierge Travel Firm
Tara Arnold, originally from Louisiana, began her career in mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the oil and gas sector. She later represented clients, including victims of offshore accidents. Married with two young children, Arnold and her husband, Kurt, co-founded Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury firm.
Recently, the couple launched a concierge service called Beyond, offering travelers luxurious accommodations in places like Turks & Caicos and Telluride, Colorado, with prices ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 per night. In 2024, they pledged $40 million to the University of Texas, earning their names a prominent place atop the school’s football scoreboard.
Chef, Sommelier Worked in Hawaii
Nick Mastrascusa, an executive chef on Hawaii’s Big Island, had managed restaurants at The Four Seasons and other luxury resorts. A devoted father of three, he was passionate about sharing his love for life with his family.
“Nick loved life. He embraced it with joy, humor, compassion, and soul,” his family shared. He had informed his father that he was traveling to France to explore a property for a new hotel venture.
Shelby Kuyawa, a master sommelier, had a rich background in hospitality, having spent her formative years in Europe and Asia. After graduating from New Mexico State University, she worked at high-end properties in Hawaii and Vail, Colorado. Kuyawa was excited to share her “love of storytelling through food and wine” in her new role.
Creative Event Planner, Beloved Pilot
Shawna Collins, a long-time employee at Lakewood Church in Houston, was remembered fondly by her colleagues. “Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality,” said church spokesperson Donald Iloff Jr.
Collins had organized numerous events for the Arnold family, including children’s birthday parties in Hawaii, Italy, and at the University of Texas stadium. She was eagerly anticipating her daughter’s wedding this year.
Jacob Hosmer, known for his infectious smile and love of pickleball, joined Arnold & Itkin as the captain of their flight crew in May. A seasoned pilot and flight instructor, he had recently registered a firm called Platinum Skies Aviation LLC in Texas. He was also married with two sons.
Investigators Will Consider Various Factors
The plane, a 2020 model, had completed short trips between Houston and Austin in the days leading up to the crash. Bangor International Airport is a common refueling stop for private jets heading to Europe.
While the cause of the crash remains undetermined, experts suggest that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the impact of the approaching storm and whether ice accumulation on the wings may have hindered the plane’s ability to take off, a concern noted in previous incidents involving this aircraft model. All potential factors will be thoroughly examined.
Kelleher reported from Honolulu and Dale from Philadelphia.
Top Photo: Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigate a plane crash at Bangor International Airport Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Bangor, Maine. (Linda Coan O’Kresik/The Bangor Daily News via AP)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A tragic plane crash in Maine claimed the lives of six individuals who were en route to France’s Champagne region. Their mission was to scout potential travel destinations for high-net-worth clients when their small jet flipped on the runway during takeoff.
The victims included an acclaimed chef, a sommelier, and an event planner, all associated with Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old Houston lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and philanthropist. Local authorities confirmed the deaths of Arnold and three others on Tuesday. The group was flying from Houston to France, making a refueling stop in Bangor, when the Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed amid an approaching snowstorm on January 25, bursting into flames.
Among the deceased were sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, from Hawaii, and pilots Jacob Hosmer, 47, and Jorden Reidel, 33, both from Texas. Other victims included event planner Shawna Collins, 53, also from Houston, and chef Nick Mastrascusa, 43, from Hawaii.
Lawyer Launched Concierge Travel Firm
Tara Arnold, originally from Louisiana, began her career in mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the oil and gas sector. She later represented clients, including victims of offshore accidents. Married with two young children, Arnold and her husband, Kurt, co-founded Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury firm.
Recently, the couple launched a concierge service called Beyond, offering travelers luxurious accommodations in places like Turks & Caicos and Telluride, Colorado, with prices ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 per night. In 2024, they pledged $40 million to the University of Texas, earning their names a prominent place atop the school’s football scoreboard.
Chef, Sommelier Worked in Hawaii
Nick Mastrascusa, an executive chef on Hawaii’s Big Island, had managed restaurants at The Four Seasons and other luxury resorts. A devoted father of three, he was passionate about sharing his love for life with his family.
“Nick loved life. He embraced it with joy, humor, compassion, and soul,” his family shared. He had informed his father that he was traveling to France to explore a property for a new hotel venture.
Shelby Kuyawa, a master sommelier, had a rich background in hospitality, having spent her formative years in Europe and Asia. After graduating from New Mexico State University, she worked at high-end properties in Hawaii and Vail, Colorado. Kuyawa was excited to share her “love of storytelling through food and wine” in her new role.
Creative Event Planner, Beloved Pilot
Shawna Collins, a long-time employee at Lakewood Church in Houston, was remembered fondly by her colleagues. “Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality,” said church spokesperson Donald Iloff Jr.
Collins had organized numerous events for the Arnold family, including children’s birthday parties in Hawaii, Italy, and at the University of Texas stadium. She was eagerly anticipating her daughter’s wedding this year.
Jacob Hosmer, known for his infectious smile and love of pickleball, joined Arnold & Itkin as the captain of their flight crew in May. A seasoned pilot and flight instructor, he had recently registered a firm called Platinum Skies Aviation LLC in Texas. He was also married with two sons.
Investigators Will Consider Various Factors
The plane, a 2020 model, had completed short trips between Houston and Austin in the days leading up to the crash. Bangor International Airport is a common refueling stop for private jets heading to Europe.
While the cause of the crash remains undetermined, experts suggest that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the impact of the approaching storm and whether ice accumulation on the wings may have hindered the plane’s ability to take off, a concern noted in previous incidents involving this aircraft model. All potential factors will be thoroughly examined.
Kelleher reported from Honolulu and Dale from Philadelphia.
Top Photo: Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigate a plane crash at Bangor International Airport Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Bangor, Maine. (Linda Coan O’Kresik/The Bangor Daily News via AP)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
