Six Killed When Bombardier Challenger 600 Crashes During Takeoff At Bangor Airport

A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed while attempting to take off from Bangor International Airport during a winter storm, killing all six people on board and drawing attention in Harris County because of multiple Houston connections and a corporate registration tie to a local law firm.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet crashed around 7:45 p.m. ET on Jan. 25, 2026, and a preliminary federal report described the aircraft as having "crashed under unknown circumstances on departure, came to rest inverted and caught on fire." The flight had originated in Houston, stopped in Bangor for fuel and de-icing, and was en route to Paris-Vatry Airport in France.

Bangor Police and airport officials said in a joint release that "All six people on the plane - four passengers and two crew members - died." The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed four of the six victims: Tara Arnold, 46, of Texas; Jacob Hosmer, 47, of Texas; Shelby Kuyawa, 34, of Hawaii; and Jorden Reidel, 33, of Texas. People identified Jacob Hosmer as a pilot. Two victims remained not officially identified by the medical examiner as of Feb. 3; family members have named Shawna Collins and Nick Mastrascusa in media interviews, but the office is still completing positive identifications.

Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are on the case. Weather was a complicating factor at Bangor: heavy snow, freezing fog and visibility down to about three-quarters of a mile were reported as crews worked to remove snow from the single runway and de-ice aircraft. Aviation safety groups have previously criticized aspects of the Bombardier wing design, and the FAA noted that "even a small amount of ice on the wing’s leading edge can disturb airflow, resulting in a substantial loss of lift and control."

The jet was registered to a corporation or LLC that shares a Houston address with the Arnold & Itkin law firm, and reporting indicated that a founding partner at the firm is listed as the registered agent for the company that owns the plane. FAA records show the aircraft went into service in April 2020. Bangor International closed in the immediate aftermath and remained shuttered for days before reopening.

For Harris County, this crash resonates on several levels. Several victims lived in Texas, and the reported corporate registration link puts local institutions in the story. The sudden loss of multiple people raises public health concerns about bereavement, trauma and access to culturally competent mental health services for family members and colleagues. Hospitals, first responders and community organizations in Houston and elsewhere will likely be called on to provide grief counseling and logistical support for families navigating identification and repatriation processes.

As investigators gather flight data, maintenance logs and NTSB findings, families and the wider community await clearer answers about cause and accountability. The coming weeks should bring more definitive reports from the NTSB and FAA, and local advocates will press for transparent findings and support systems for those affected in Harris County and beyond.